The opening ceremony of the 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) took place on the afternoon of October 2 at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan. Actors Park Bo-young and Ahn Jae-hong served as emcees, while numerous figures from the domestic and international film industry graced the event.
Kicking off the ceremony, hosts Park Bo-young and Ahn Jae-hong announced: “The Busan International Film Festival is an event that encourages and inspires filmmakers from Korea, Asia and around the world to pursue their dreams. We can’t wait to see what films audiences will encounter this year.”
The first order of business was the presentation of the “Camellia Award”, a new award established this year jointly by the Busan International Film Festival and Chanel. Created to elevate the status of women in the film industry and widely publicize their cultural and artistic contributions, this year’s inaugural recipient was artistic director Ryu Sung-hee.
Ryu Sung-hee has been a leading figure in Korean art direction through numerous works, including “Memoirs of a Murder” (2003), “Old boy” (2003), “The host” (2006), “Thirst” (2009), “The front line” (2011), “Hymn to my father” (2014), “Murder” (2015) e “Decision to leave” (2022). In particular, his collaboration with director Park Chan-wook “The Handmaid” (2016) earned her the Vulcan Award at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, making her the first Korean to receive this honor and demonstrating the world-class level of Korean filmmaking art.
Yana Peel, global head of arts and culture at Chanel, who presented the award, introduced Ryu Sung-hee, saying: “Ryu Sung-hee’s achievements are remarkable. Her sophisticated aesthetic elevated the cinematic experience, and her successful career was a great inspiration to female filmmakers.”
After accepting the award, Ryu Sung-hee expressed his gratitude, saying: “Thank you for creating a meaningful award for female directors.” He then reflected on the challenges he faced early in his career, stating: “When I started making films, there weren’t many female artistic directors, and it was almost considered a male domain when it came to creative aspects and genre films.”
He continued, “I looked at countless production companies with my portfolio and was repeatedly rejected, told that it would be difficult to hire me unless it was for a melodrama or romantic film. I thought to myself, “I have to survive somehow and change this perception and culture. I have to demonstrate that genre films made by women can be original, intense and express the joys and sorrows of life as an artist, and that they can add subtlety to it.” I kept telling myself that.”
Ryu added, “I believe that if we put aside our prejudices and give everyone equal opportunities, the possibilities that will open up before us will be endless. I want to share this honor with countless talented female directors who dream of a new leap in the Korean film industry.”
Afterwards, Busan Mayor Park Hyung-jun and new president Park Kwang-soo took the stage to declare the opening. Park Hyung-jun enthusiastically declared, “This year’s film festival is better than ever. Busan autumn is beautiful. The typhoon also retreated. All preparations are complete to set sail towards the sea of cinema. All that remains is to get movie fans on board. We are ready to hoist the sails and go.”
Subsequently, the jury of the Nuove Correnti section was presented. New Currents is a major competitive section of the Busan International Film Festival that showcases the first or second works of emerging filmmakers who are shaping the future of Asian cinema. It has been a hot topic in the domestic and international film industry, highlighting the diversity and potential of Asian films and introducing new directors and their works that will bring a new wave to the film industry.
This year’s New Currents jury includes five respected filmmakers from Korea, Asia and Europe: director Mohammad Rasoulov, who serves as jury president, director Lee Myung-se, actors Joo Dong-woo and Kani Kusruti, and Banja Kaluzerski, executive director of the Rotterdam International Film Festival. Banja Kaluzerski noted: “I am honored to be part of the Busan International Film Festival, which has played a crucial role in discovering bold and original filmmakers and bringing them to the world stage, illuminating the future of cinema.”
This was followed by the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award, in honor of the late actor Lee Sun-kyun, who passed away last December. A special program, “A wonderful person, Lee Sun-kyun,” will also be held at this year’s festival, featuring the late actor’s representative works. Six films will be screened, including “Willow” (2009), “Our Sun-hee” (2013), “A tough day” (2014), “Parasite” (2019), the drama “My lord” (2018), and his final work, “Land of happiness”.
The Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award, given to an Asian filmmaker or organization that has shown outstanding contributions to the development of the Asian film industry and culture, was awarded to Japanese film master Kiyoshi Kurosawa. Known for his unique style in films such as “Treatment” (1997), “Impulse” (2001) e “punishment” (2006), Kurosawa has garnered a large fan base. This year’s Busan International Film Festival will showcase his two new works, “The Path of the Serpent” AND “Cloud.”
After receiving the award, director Kiyoshi Kurosawa said: “It’s been 40 years since I started making films, and I first attended the Busan International Film Festival 20 years ago. It’s no exaggeration to say that the Busan International Film Festival has witnessed half of my cinematic life. I am deeply moved. I’m especially happy to have completed two films this year and to be able to screen them all at the festival. Thank you.”
The opening film, “Revolt”, the film produced and written by director Park Chan-wook and directed by Kim Sang-man was then presented. In particular, “Revolt” is a Netflix film, marking the first time in the festival’s history that an OTT work has been selected as the opening film. Lead actor Kang Dong-won expressed his excitement, saying: “It’s fun to walk the red carpet at the Busan International Film Festival after a long time. I hope you enjoy watching the film and have fun.”
This year’s Busan International Film Festival, which will take place from October 2 to 11, will take place at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, the Korea Film Council screening hall and seven other cinemas in Busan. A total of 279 films will be screened, including 224 films (99 world + international premieres, 86 world premieres, 13 international premieres) from 63 countries in the official invited works and 55 films in the BIFF Community screenings.
Source: Daum
