Daily Busan
BIFF is back!
The 29th Busan International Film Festival rolls out the red carpet for 10 days from Oct. 2 to 11. Audiences can enjoy prizewinning films from major international festivals like Cannes, Sundance and Berlin, as well as works by Asia’s greatest directors and rising stars.
BIFF’s official selection counts 224 films from 63 countries and includes 86 world premieres and 13 international premieres. Screenings will take place at the festival’s main venue, Busan Cinema Center, and other theaters in Centum City.
The festival will open with the Korean movie “Uprising,” a historical war epic produced and co-written by prominent filmmaker Park Chan-wook. Directed by Kim Sang-man, “Uprising” is set during the Joseon Dynasty and depicts the story of two childhood friends - one a noble, the other a servant - who meet again as enemies on the battlefield.
The film stars acclaimed Korean actors Gang Dong-won, Park Jeong-min, Cha Seung-won, Kim Shin-rok, Jin Sun-kyu and Jung Sung-il.
BIFF will close with the world premiere of “Spirit World” by Singaporean filmmaker Eric Khoo, the first-ever Singaporean invited to international film festivals such as Cannes, Berlin and Venice. “Spirit World,” starring the incomparable French actor Catherine Deneuve as a chanson singer on tour in Tokyo, is a meditation on life, death and spirituality.
The recipient of the annual Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award is Japanese artist Kurosawa Kiyoshi. Two of his latest films, “Serpent’s Path” and “Cloud,” will be screened in the Gala Presentation. “Cloud” was recently selected as Japan’s entry for the Best International Feature Film Award for the 2025 Oscars.
This year’s Special Program in Focus will feature a retrospective of Portuguese director Miguel Gomes, fresh off his Best Director Award win at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival for “Grand Tour.”
The signature works of late actor Lee Sun-kyun, including the hit film “Parasite” and the drama series “My Mister,” will also be screened during the festival.
Community BIFF, a community-led celebration focused on the spirit and nostalgia of BIFF’s early days, will run alongside the main festival from Oct. 1 to 6 and feature 55 films. Free screenings and events will take place in the Nampo-dong area.
Tickets are available on the BIFF official website and mobile application. Only canceled or vacant seats will be available at on-site box offices. For more information, visit the official website below.
※ Busan International Film Festival Oct. 2 to 11
◎ Busan Cinema Center: 120 Suyeonggangbyeon-daero, Haeundae-gu
◎ Website: biff.kr/eng
<Today's Vocabulary - 오늘의 단어>
prizewinning: 수상 이력이 있는 selection: 선발 historical: 역사적인 epic: 서사 영화 prominent: 저명한 noble: 상류층 servant: 하인 incomparable: 비할 데가 없는 meditation: 명상 retrospective: 회고전
Editor: Song Soomi
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