Weekender Something Hot & Eclectic
Jeonju International Film Festival Offers Colorful Array of Art House Cinema
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Jeonju is famous for “bibimbap” ― and the spicy, mixed veggie rice dish will represent the flavor of the local culture more than ever as the North Jeolla Province city hosts one of the world’s hottest, most eclectic independent film festivals.
The Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) will open from April 29 through May 7, featuring over 200 works from 49 countries. The “bibimbap-ness” or diversity factor of the event has intensified, as this year marks a record number of participating countries, according to festival organizers.
Another change is that the number of feature films has decreased slightly while the number of shorts has gone up. This is due to the fact that JIFF enhanced its regulations to focus on world, international and Asia premieres.
Reputed as “the Locarno Film Festival of Asia,” the event invites cineastes and fans to explore, as its slogan shouts, the spirit of “freedom, independence and communication.”
“We chose independent and art house films that possess both artistry and mainstream appeal, and are not widely distributed,” said JIFF Chairman Song Ha-jin.
“I hope visitors can take a fun cinematic trip through Jeonju, a city of tradition and modernity.”
This year’s event will open with “Should’ve Kissed” (2010), the feature debut film by newcomer Korean director Park Jin-oh. It is about a young man named Jun who falls for Summer, who shares his dreams of acting. The two spend a great time together until Summer disappears during the course of the night, and Jun sets out on a heart-thumping search for the woman who might be his true love.
Celebrity couple Yoo Joon-sang and Hong Eun-heui will host the festival’s opening ceremony, to be held at the Moak Hall, Sori Arts Center.
A Mexican documentary that won the Tiger Award at the Rotterdam Film Festival will close JIFF. “Alamar” (To the Sea), by Pedro Gonzalez-Rubio, is about a man who takes his five-year-old son Natan on a trip across Mexico to teach him about his origins before the boy leaves for Rome with his Italian mother. Natan is at first physically and emotionally unprepared for the trip through the Mexican wilderness but ultimately goes through a life-changing experience.
The rest of the lineup will be shown under seven sections, including the competitive section.
Top Talent Showcase
The JIFF Project section features a couple of the festival’s most representative endeavors. “Short! Short! Short!” is a collection of shorts by up-and-coming directors. The Jeonju Digital Project 2010 brings together James Benning, a master of American experimental/indie films; Canadian film pioneer Denis Cote; and Argentina’s rising star Matias Pineiro, who have each contributed a 30-minute-long digital short.
Cinemascope showcases the latest works by famous directors, such as “Bare Essence of Life” (Japan, 2009) by Yokohama Satoko and “Around a Small Mountain” (France/Italy, 2009) by Jacques Rivette.
Those looking for something new and different should note the festival’s “Stranger Than Cinema” section, which introduces experimental works that are difficult to find at local theaters.
A History Lesson
The Focus On section highlights various themes, such as “The Poetics of Resistance & Revolution,” which shows movies about challenging authority and antiquated systems.
Several retrospectives of works by veteran directors are on offer. Among them is Korea’s “indie documentary film godfather” Kim Dong-won. His works made between 1986 and 2008 provide a historical sketch of modern Korea, particularly its rather sad aspects that often lay hidden in the shadows.
“The Sang-kyedong (Sanggye-dong) Olympics” (1988), which put Kim on the cinematic map, captures the tears of the impoverished Sanggye-dong residents who had to move for the redevelopment of Seoul ahead of the 1988 Olympics.
Sleepless Nights in Jeonju
The Cinemafest section invites festivalgoers to partake in various special events, such as outdoor and midnight screenings.
One of the most popular programs at JIFF, Midnight Obsession particularly caters to horror film fanatics who would gladly give up their sleep to watch skin-crawling stories over the weekend, from April 30 through May 2.
Screenings will take place at Megabox, CGV, Jeonju Cinema Town and Jeonju Digital Independent Cinema, as well as Chonbuk National University Cultural Center. The outdoor screenings will be held at JIFF Space on Cinema Street.
The festival has become more tech-savvy to service visitors. For the first time among domestic film festivals, JIFF has introduced applications for iPhone users. The application will provide information about screenings and events, as well as the shuttle bus schedule and tips about dining, among others.
The festival is also sharing tips on its Twitter, Facebook and blog (JIFFLOG). Visit its official Web site www.jiff.or.kr for more information.
Still wondering which handful of films to catch among the 209? Programmers Yoo Un-seong and Jo Ji-hoon recommend the following five. ``Vapor Trail (Clark)’’ (United States, 2010, Cinemascape section) by John Gianvito illustrates how an American military base in the Philippines, though closed in 1992, left behind toxic pollution that has affected the lives of locals. ``This is like a 4 hour 30 minute-long lesson on undisclosed history between the U.S. and the Philippines,’’ said Yoo. ``Classmates’’ (China, 2009, Cinemascape section) by Lin Xin paints a portrait of contemporary China. The film opens with a 1978 black-and-white graduation photo of a middle school class. The director revisits the same individuals today who have become a gas delivery man, doctor, actor and more. ``Extraordinary Stories’’ (Argentina, 2008, Cinemascape section) by Mariano Llinas is a long-running (4 hours), enigmatic piece that covers three main stories and 18 short episodes through a narration: Government inspector X, who accidentally killed farmer Z, who follows a man all the way to Africa, and H who remains a mystery to the end. ``This piece, by Argentina’s rising star director, is a must-see for cult movie buffs,’’ said Yoo. ``Where the Wild Things Are’’ (U.S., 2009, Cinemafest-Cinema Palace section) by Spike Jonze was inspired by the famous children’s storybook of the same name. Max, a stubborn nine-year-old, is lonely; dad is gone, his sister ignores him and mom is always busy. One day when his mother brings home her new boyfriend, he throws a fit and leaves the house. He arrives in a strange land of creatures and becomes king. ``The adventures of a mischievous boy will provoke the imagination, and I highly recommend it for family audiences,’’ said Jo. ``Police, Adjective’’ (Romania, 2009, Cinemascape section) provides a chance to explore Romanian cinema, which has been gaining prominence in various international film festivals. This philosophical crime comedy by promising director Corneliu Porumboiu is about an undercover cop investigating teenage drug deals. The protagonist however is unable to make an arrest when the occasion finally arises, as he starts questioning the legitimacy of taking in minors.
Still wondering which handful of films to catch among the 209? Programmers Yoo Un-seong and Jo Ji-hoon recommend the following five. ``Vapor Trail (Clark)’’ (United States, 2010, Cinemascape section) by John Gianvito illustrates how an American military base in the Philippines, though closed in 1992, left behind toxic pollution that has affected the lives of locals. ``This is like a 4 hour 30 minute-long lesson on undisclosed history between the U.S. and the Philippines,’’ said Yoo. ``Classmates’’ (China, 2009, Cinemascape section) by Lin Xin paints a portrait of contemporary China. The film opens with a 1978 black-and-white graduation photo of a middle school class. The director revisits the same individuals today who have become a gas delivery man, doctor, actor and more. ``Extraordinary Stories’’ (Argentina, 2008, Cinemascape section) by Mariano Llinas is a long-running (4 hours), enigmatic piece that covers three main stories and 18 short episodes through a narration: Government inspector X, who accidentally killed farmer Z, who follows a man all the way to Africa, and H who remains a mystery to the end. ``This piece, by Argentina’s rising star director, is a must-see for cult movie buffs,’’ said Yoo. ``Where the Wild Things Are’’ (U.S., 2009, Cinemafest-Cinema Palace section) by Spike Jonze was inspired by the famous children’s storybook of the same name. Max, a stubborn nine-year-old, is lonely; dad is gone, his sister ignores him and mom is always busy. One day when his mother brings home her new boyfriend, he throws a fit and leaves the house. He arrives in a strange land of creatures and becomes king. ``The adventures of a mischievous boy will provoke the imagination, and I highly recommend it for family audiences,’’ said Jo. ``Police, Adjective’’ (Romania, 2009, Cinemascape section) provides a chance to explore Romanian cinema, which has been gaining prominence in various international film festivals. This philosophical crime comedy by promising director Corneliu Porumboiu is about an undercover cop investigating teenage drug deals. The protagonist however is unable to make an arrest when the occasion finally arises, as he starts questioning the legitimacy of taking in minors.
Still wondering which handful of films to catch among the 209? Programmers Yoo Un-seong and Jo Ji-hoon recommend the following five. ``Vapor Trail (Clark)’’ (United States, 2010, Cinemascape section) by John Gianvito illustrates how an American military base in the Philippines, though closed in 1992, left behind toxic pollution that has affected the lives of locals. ``This is like a 4 hour 30 minute-long lesson on undisclosed history between the U.S. and the Philippines,’’ said Yoo. ``Classmates’’ (China, 2009, Cinemascape section) by Lin Xin paints a portrait of contemporary China. The film opens with a 1978 black-and-white graduation photo of a middle school class. The director revisits the same individuals today who have become a gas delivery man, doctor, actor and more. ``Extraordinary Stories’’ (Argentina, 2008, Cinemascape section) by Mariano Llinas is a long-running (4 hours), enigmatic piece that covers three main stories and 18 short episodes through a narration: Government inspector X, who accidentally killed farmer Z, who follows a man all the way to Africa, and H who remains a mystery to the end. ``This piece, by Argentina’s rising star director, is a must-see for cult movie buffs,’’ said Yoo. ``Where the Wild Things Are’’ (U.S., 2009, Cinemafest-Cinema Palace section) by Spike Jonze was inspired by the famous children’s storybook of the same name. Max, a stubborn nine-year-old, is lonely; dad is gone, his sister ignores him and mom is always busy. One day when his mother brings home her new boyfriend, he throws a fit and leaves the house. He arrives in a strange land of creatures and becomes king. ``The adventures of a mischievous boy will provoke the imagination, and I highly recommend it for family audiences,’’ said Jo. ``Police, Adjective’’ (Romania, 2009, Cinemascape section) provides a chance to explore Romanian cinema, which has been gaining prominence in various international film festivals. This philosophical crime comedy by promising director Corneliu Porumboiu is about an undercover cop investigating teenage drug deals. The protagonist however is unable to make an arrest when the occasion finally arises, as he starts questioning the legitimacy of taking in minors.
Still wondering which handful of films to catch among the 209? Programmers Yoo Un-seong and Jo Ji-hoon recommend the following five. ``Vapor Trail (Clark)’’ (United States, 2010, Cinemascape section) by John Gianvito illustrates how an American military base in the Philippines, though closed in 1992, left behind toxic pollution that has affected the lives of locals. ``This is like a 4 hour 30 minute-long lesson on undisclosed history between the U.S. and the Philippines,’’ said Yoo. ``Classmates’’ (China, 2009, Cinemascape section) by Lin Xin paints a portrait of contemporary China. The film opens with a 1978 black-and-white graduation photo of a middle school class. The director revisits the same individuals today who have become a gas delivery man, doctor, actor and more. ``Extraordinary Stories’’ (Argentina, 2008, Cinemascape section) by Mariano Llinas is a long-running (4 hours), enigmatic piece that covers three main stories and 18 short episodes through a narration: Government inspector X, who accidentally killed farmer Z, who follows a man all the way to Africa, and H who remains a mystery to the end. ``This piece, by Argentina’s rising star director, is a must-see for cult movie buffs,’’ said Yoo. ``Where the Wild Things Are’’ (U.S., 2009, Cinemafest-Cinema Palace section) by Spike Jonze was inspired by the famous children’s storybook of the same name. Max, a stubborn nine-year-old, is lonely; dad is gone, his sister ignores him and mom is always busy. One day when his mother brings home her new boyfriend, he throws a fit and leaves the house. He arrives in a strange land of creatures and becomes king. ``The adventures of a mischievous boy will provoke the imagination, and I highly recommend it for family audiences,’’ said Jo. ``Police, Adjective’’ (Romania, 2009, Cinemascape section) provides a chance to explore Romanian cinema, which has been gaining prominence in various international film festivals. This philosophical crime comedy by promising director Corneliu Porumboiu is about an undercover cop investigating teenage drug deals. The protagonist however is unable to make an arrest when the occasion finally arises, as he starts questioning the legitimacy of taking in minors.
Still wondering which handful of films to catch among the 209? Programmers Yoo Un-seong and Jo Ji-hoon recommend the following five. ``Vapor Trail (Clark)’’ (United States, 2010, Cinemascape section) by John Gianvito illustrates how an American military base in the Philippines, though closed in 1992, left behind toxic pollution that has affected the lives of locals. ``This is like a 4 hour 30 minute-long lesson on undisclosed history between the U.S. and the Philippines,’’ said Yoo. ``Classmates’’ (China, 2009, Cinemascape section) by Lin Xin paints a portrait of contemporary China. The film opens with a 1978 black-and-white graduation photo of a middle school class. The director revisits the same individuals today who have become a gas delivery man, doctor, actor and more. ``Extraordinary Stories’’ (Argentina, 2008, Cinemascape section) by Mariano Llinas is a long-running (4 hours), enigmatic piece that covers three main stories and 18 short episodes through a narration: Government inspector X, who accidentally killed farmer Z, who follows a man all the way to Africa, and H who remains a mystery to the end. ``This piece, by Argentina’s rising star director, is a must-see for cult movie buffs,’’ said Yoo. ``Where the Wild Things Are’’ (U.S., 2009, Cinemafest-Cinema Palace section) by Spike Jonze was inspired by the famous children’s storybook of the same name. Max, a stubborn nine-year-old, is lonely; dad is gone, his sister ignores him and mom is always busy. One day when his mother brings home her new boyfriend, he throws a fit and leaves the house. He arrives in a strange land of creatures and becomes king. ``The adventures of a mischievous boy will provoke the imagination, and I highly recommend it for family audiences,’’ said Jo. ``Police, Adjective’’ (Romania, 2009, Cinemascape section) provides a chance to explore Romanian cinema, which has been gaining prominence in various international film festivals. This philosophical crime comedy by promising director Corneliu Porumboiu is about an undercover cop investigating teenage drug deals. The protagonist however is unable to make an arrest when the occasion finally arises, as he starts questioning the legitimacy of taking in minors.