"A Festival to Stay and Relax, Not Just Pass By"
Jang Hangjun, Executive Chairman, Outlines Vision for a Welcoming and Restful JIMFF
New Competitive Sections and Signature Events
Special Focus on David Lynch and the 50th Anniversary of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"
Expanded Venues and Upgraded Facilities for a True "Festival of Rest"
"I want to create a film festival where people don't just drop by briefly, but can truly stay and relax."
On August 20 in Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Jang Hangjun, Executive Chairman of the Jecheon International Music & Film Festival (JIMFF), described this year's festival in these terms. Celebrating its 21st edition, the festival will take place from September 4 to 9 across Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, featuring 134 films from 36 countries and performances by 17 teams for audiences to enjoy.
This year's slogan is "All Together JIMFF." Actor Kang Haneul has been appointed as the festival's promotional ambassador, JIMFFACE. Chairman Jang stated, "We want to overcome the intrinsic limitation of having few music films and make our presence felt this year with a stage that is truly accessible to the public."
The opening film will be "Musician" by French director Gregory Magne, and the closing film will be "Last Song for You" by Hong Kong director Leung Leiyan. The opening ceremony will be hosted by broadcaster Jang Doyeon and actor Lee Junhyuk.
Both the opening ceremony and the festival's signature event, "One Summer Night," will be held at Jecheon Airfield. Chairman Jang said, "For the first time this year, we've installed a large dome structure on the runway at Jecheon Airfield," adding, "We've maintained the open feel of the outdoors while preparing for the possibility of rain."
This year, the festival has launched two new competitive sections: "Music Insight" for film music and "New Talent" to discover emerging film music composers. Chairman Jang said, "I hope the festival will become a platform that supports the creative work of music directors, moving beyond a structure that focuses only on film directors."
World-renowned film composer Eric Serra will receive this year's Jecheon Film Music Award and hold his first concert in Korea. Serra is well-known for composing for Luc Besson's films such as "The Big Blue," "L?on: The Professional," and "The Fifth Element." Chairman Jang emphasized, "Eric Serra's performance will be a unique experience you can only find in Jecheon and will be a signature stage that showcases the festival's stature."
There will also be a film and music talk program called "Talk to You," featuring physicist Kim Sanguk, profiler Kwon Ilyong, and architect Yoo Hyunjoon. The "Flashback 1990" section will revisit Korean films and music from the 1990s, such as "Attack the Gas Station," "Nowhere to Hide," and "Christmas in August." Chairman Jang said, "The 1990s were when I started my career in film, and I want to share the brilliant possibilities of that era with today's generation."
(From left) Kim Sanguk, Kwon Ilyong, Yoo Hyunjoon. Photo by Jecheon International Music & Film Festival
Last year at the 'JIMFF Camping & Music Festival' site. Photo by Jecheon International Music Film Festival
The special program will focus on the musical works of director David Lynch, who passed away earlier this year. There will also be a special section called "Music Horror Picture Show" to celebrate the 50th anniversary of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," regarded as the origin of B-movie style musicals.
Last year, the festival faced controversy over a lack of screening venues due to the closure of multiplex theaters, but this year a stable screening environment has been secured by temporarily reopening venues. Films will be screened at JIMFF Cinema (formerly Megabox Jecheon), Haso Lifestyle Culture Center Sanchaek, Jecheon Culture Center, and Jecheon Video Media Center Bom. A festival official explained, "We focused the budget on remodeling and completed sound tests. The venues are now perfectly suited as 'exclusive festival theaters.'" Chairman Jang added, "Next year, we plan to expand the budget to 5 billion won to further enhance the programs and working environment."
Jang Hangjun, who is also well known as the husband of film director and drama writer Kim Eunhee, described his role as chairman as "his last public office." He laughed and said, "I've never even been class president or vice president, so this is my first and probably last time in such a position. I want to take responsibility and deliver results." Chairman Jang added, "I want to create a festival that brings together Jecheon's nature, food, and people. I hope it becomes a 'festival of rest' where people can make lasting memories."
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