South Korea`s largest int`l film event opens for nine-day run

By Shin Hae-in
BUSAN, Oct. 8 (Yonhap) -- The Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), one of
Asia's largest film events hosted by South Korea, opened Thursday in this
southeastern port city with top filmmakers and entertainers from in and out of
the country.
Opening with "Good Morning President," a film by South Korean director Jang Jin
and starring Korean Wave star Jang Dong-gun, the 14th PIFF is to feature 355
films from 70 countries through Oct. 16, the largest of the annual event to date.
"...President," the latest of comedy master Jang's creations on three fictional
presidents torn between politics and their ethics, is the first local movie to
open the event in three years.
Named after the city name Busan using the old Romanization system, PIFF was
established in 1996 and has since grown into one of most influential film fests
in Asia, focused on discovering new films and first-time directors from across
the region.
"The Message," a lavish period spy flick about communists fighting against
Japanese invaders, will close the event. Co-directed by Chen Kuofu and Gao
Qunshu, the movie is praised as one of the most impressive Chinese films of the
year by PIFF organizers.
Up to 98 films will premier during the festival, which will be held at six major
theaters and art houses in Busan under 11 categories.
Along with existing prizes, including the 30-million-won (US$24,000) New Current
Award and the 20-million-won Sonje Award for short films, PIFF has newly
established the Flash Forward Award this year for emerging directors from
non-Asian regions.
Oscar-nominated French director Jean-Jacques Beineix will head the jury for the
New Current prize with South Korean cinematographer Kim Hyung-koo, Thai director
Pen-ek Ratanaruang and Taiwanese actress Terri Kwan.
Various special programs have also been prepared to spice up the event, including
retrospectives on Chinese action master Johnnie To and late South Korean
directors Yoo Hyeon-mok and Ha Gil-jong.
Three representative works of South Korean actress Jang Jin-young, who died Sept.
1 at the age of 35 from stomach cancer, will be screened in a show of condolence
for the late actress and her fans.
The Ani Asia section will screen nine animated feature films from countries
including Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand.
Pusan Promotion Plan (PPP), a pre-market venue where promising filmmakers and
producers meet with potential co-producers and financiers, will again open Oct.
11-14. Established in 1999, the PPP has played an important role in connecting
young and little-known directors to funding sources from in and out of Asia.
Hundreds of film stars including Bryan Singer, the producer of Hollywood's
"X-men" series, actor Josh Hartnett, Japanese auteur Masahiro Kobayashi and
Italian director Dario Argento will be attending the event.
Expected to be visited by more than 200,000 people this year, organizers of PIFF
also said they are on high alert for the fast-spreading Influenza A virus,
setting up medical booths at all event locations and requesting prior cooperation
from nearby hospitals.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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