By Woo Jae-yeon
BUSAN, Oct. 2 (Yonhap) — The 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) kicks off on Wednesday, featuring the historical drama “Uprising” as its opening film, the festival’s first-ever over-the-top (OTT) production to hold this honor.
The organizer has said the selection reflects the festival’s efforts to capture the significant shifts in the global film industry, driven by the rise of streaming platforms and expanded distribution channels.
This year’s edition features nine major titles from global streaming platforms, including the world premiere of Yeon Sang-ho’s “Hellbound” Season 2 and Apple TV+’s documentary “The Last of the Sea Women” about haenyeo, or Korea’s female divers.
The Netflix Korean original film “Uprising,” set in the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), follows the story of two men who grew up together — one as a master (Park Jeong-min) and the other as a servant (Gang Dong-won) — and reunite as enemies after a war. “Decision to Leave” director Park Chan-wook contributed to the film as both a producer and scriptwriter. The festival organizers highlighted its unexpected humor, intense confrontations as well as captivating narrative as key reasons for its selection.
A poster for the Busan International Film Festival is shown in this image provided by the event’s organizers. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
BIFF this year will screen 224 films from 63 countries, reflecting an approximately eight percent increase from last year’s 209 films. Including the 55 films in the Community BIFF section, the total number of screenings rises to 279.
The expanded lineup comes despite managerial setbacks faced by Asia’s biggest film festival, including a reduction in state funding and the ongoing vacancy of the festival director position.
A total of 10 movies are competing for the New Currents Award, which honors the two best feature films from first or second-time Asian directors. Candidates include “Abel” by Elzat Eskendir and “Tale of the Land” by Loeloe Hendra. The Jiseok section will choose two winners from Asian directors with more than three feature films. Eight movies are in contention for the award, including Lee Ha-ram’s “So It Goes” and Rima Das’ “Village Rockstars 2.”
A still from “Anora” is shown in this image provided by the Busan International Film Festival. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa has been named Asian Filmmaker of the Year. Renowned for his genre films, such as “Cure” (1997) and “Pulse” (2001), Kurosawa is celebrated for his distinctive voice as an auteur. At BIFF, his two latest films, “Serpent’s Path” and “Cloud,” will be showcased, with the director expected to attend the event in person.
The Special Program in Focus section will highlight eight works by Miguel Gomes, who won the Best Director award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival for “Grand Tour.” Gomes will also meet Korean audiences during the festival.
This section will also honor the late “Parasite” actor Lee Sun-kyun, who died late last year. Six of his works, including an episode from the popular TV series “My Mister,” will be screened in tribute.
In the Icons section, Sean Baker’s “Anora” will be screened. The film won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes, becoming the first American film to do so since “The Tree of Life” in 2011.
Additionally, the festival has introduced a new Documentary Audience Award to recognize outstanding Asian documentary films. The award will be determined by audience ratings.
BIFF will close with Singaporean director Eric Khoo’s “Spirit World,” starring Catherine Deneuve, marking the first time a Singaporean film has closed BIFF. The movie follows French singer Claire, who finds herself in the afterlife after suddenly dying during a tour in Japan.
The festival runs through Oct. 11 in the southeastern port city of Busan.
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
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