BIFF 2024: expanded film slate, new documentary award, tributes to Lee Sun-kyun

All News 16:47 September 03, 2024

By Woo Jae-yeon

SEOUL, Sept. 3 (Yonhap) -- The period drama "Uprising" will open this year's Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) early next month, the organizer said Tuesday.

Starring Gang Dong-won and Park Jeong-min, "Uprising," set in the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), tells the story of two men who grew up together -- one as a master (Park) and the other as a servant (Gang) -- who 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 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.

A total of 224 films from 63 countries have been officially invited to this year's festival, marking an approximately eight percent increase from last year's 209. With 55 films in the Community BIFF section, the total number of screenings rises to 279.

Busan International Film Festival Chair Park Kwang-su speaks at a press event in Busan, 325 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on Sept. 3, 2024. (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.

The Special Program in Focus section will feature eight works by Miguel Gomes, who won the Best Director award at this year's Cannes Film Festival for "Grand Tour." Gomes is expected to attend the event in person.

The Special Program in Focus 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 to the beloved actor.

Additionally, the festival has introduced a new Documentary Audience Award to recognize outstanding Asian documentary films. The award, determined by audience ratings, comes with a prize of 10 million won (US$7,500).

The 29th BIFF will take place from Oct. 2-11 in the southeastern port city of Busan.