.jpg) A scene from "The Meatrix," an animation film seeking to raise social awareness by parodying "The Matrix." |
Staff Reporter
Forget the stereotype that eco-friendly films are boring, and expect an exciting and enlightening experience at the Green Film Festival in Seoul (GFFIS), to take place from May 17 to 23 at the CGV Sangam, near the Seoul World Cup Stadium.
The GFFIS will feature 112 films from 23 countries as well as various workshop events, including outdoor screenings and live concerts, at the Youth Square of Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Six to seven short films of the SOS (Save Our Selves) Short Film Program will open the festival. Founded by Emmy Award-wining producer Kevin Wall with support from former U.S. vice president turned environmental activist Al Gore, SOS is a campaign designed to trigger mass movement to fight global warming.
Sixty award-winning filmmakers created 10-minute films that highlight the problems of the global climate crisis, and aim to engage people's interest in finding solutions for them. Filmmakers include Abel Ferrara and Kevin MacDonald (``The Last King of Scotland''), and the program was presented at the U.S. Tribeca Film Festival Awards last month.
As the United Nations recently concluded global warming is a direct threat to international peace and security, the festival's focus on the climate problem is most pertinent. But at GFFIS, the serious concern can be probed with flair and fun.
Star power will reign at the environmental festival: Hollywood hotties such as Keanu Reeves, Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan and Robert Redford, as well as Grammy Award-winning singer-songstress Alanis Morissette narrate various feature films.
Do the titles ``The Meatrix,'' ``Grocery Store Wars,'' and ``The BioDaVersity Code'' ring a bell? Parodying blockbuster films, ``The Matrix,'' ``Star Wars'' and ``The Da Vinci Code,'' respectively, these hilarious animations boast ``Creativity with a Conscience.''
The flash animation pieces imaginatively tackle environmental and human rights issues, such as problems with genetically modified food and fast food as well as questionable farming procedures.
Visitors can also look forward to documentaries and drama films. For more information, visit the Green Film Festival in Seoul Web site (www.gffis.org) or call 02-725-3654.
hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr
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