Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Jeonju Int’l Film Festival to open with tribute to late actor Ahn Sung-ki
A scene from “The Longest Night: Namtaeryeong" / Courtesy of Jeonju International Film Festival
By Baek Byung-yeul
The 27th Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) will kick off its 10-day run Wednesday, featuring 237 films from 54 countries.
This year’s edition seeks to broaden the festival’s cinematic scope by bridging the gap between historical retrospectives and contemporary social discourse. With 78 world premieres on the schedule, the event is set to reinforce its status as a premier platform for independent and experimental cinema that challenges conventional narratives.
A highlight of the opening will be the presentation of a special lifetime achievement award to the late Ahn Sung-ki, the legendary actor who passed away earlier this year.
The festival organizers established the award to honor Ahn’s lifelong contribution in elevating Korean cinema. Ahn’s son, Ahn Philip, will accept the award on behalf of his father. The opening ceremony will be hosted by actors Shin Hyun-joon and Go Won-hee.
Late actor Ahn Sung-ki / Korea Times file
The festival will open with the film "Late Fame," directed by Kent Jones. Based on a story by Arthur Schnitzler, the film portrays an aging former poet whose quiet life is revitalized by a new generation of admirers. Both Jones and lead actor Greta Lee are scheduled to attend the festival to engage with Korean audiences and discuss the film’s exploration of artistic legacy.
The festival’s competition sections focus on pressing social and political themes. The International Competition category will feature 10 selected films, including "Stone and Feather" by Ragip Turk and "If I Go Will They Miss Me" by Walter Thompson-Hernandez.
A scene from "Sandra, The Primate Citizen" / Courtesy of Jeonju International Film Festival
Documentaries have emerged as a dominant force in the Korean Competition section this year.
Out of the 10 finalists, four are nonfiction works, including Yu So-young’s "Water Deer," which offers an intimate look at the director’s mother through her labor and daily life. Ha Si-nae’s "Sandra, The Primate Citizen" explores the life of the titular orangutan, while So Seong-seop’s "Insomnia" tackles the social anxieties of a newlywed couple struggling with "jeonse" (a type of housing rental system with a big lump-sum deposit unique to Korea) fraud.
Reflecting recent social issues, several works in this year’s lineup focus on the aftermath of the Dec. 3, 2024 martial law incident.
The closing film, “The Longest Night: Namtaeryeong,” is a documentary by Kim Hyun-ji that captures the overnight standoff between citizens and the military. The film specifically highlights the solidarity between farmers and women in their 20s and 30s, who gathered at Namtaeryeong Ridge to block martial law troops, while also documenting their return to daily life following the civil resistance.
A special screening titled “Special Focus: Ahn Sung-ki's Memorable Films Yet Rarely Seen” will also be held, focusing on Ahn’s performances in independent and arthouse films rather than his more commercial roles. Additionally, the festival has introduced a new section "Possible Cinema" to support directors with unique cinematic visions.
“We have prepared various events to make this festival accessible to all generations, moving beyond a cinema-fan-only event,” a festival official said. The 27th JIFF will run through May 8 at various venues around Jeonju’s film street.