Movie festivals offer diverse choices

By Baek Byung-yeul

It seems almost inescapable for filmgoers to avoid blockbuster movies put out by major studios with massive marketing budgets. However, for those who are tired of multiplex theaters full of loud crowds and the smell of stale popcorn, unique and delightful film festivals are scheduled at small theaters this month.

At theaters in Seoul and Busan, movie fans will be provided with a rare chance to glimpse films produced in Arab countries at the fourth ARAB Film Festival.

Under the slogan “Journey through the Arab,” the non-competitive international film festival features 10 films, including eight feature films and two documentaries. Hosted by the Korea-Arab Society, the film festival was first launched in 2009 as part of the Arab Cultural Festival. It was well received here last year, selling out tickets to every show.

The organizing committee recommended watching the festival’s opening film “From A to B.”

“As the festival features a small numbers of films, we would like to recommend enjoying every film at the festival. But to pick one among them, ‘From A to B’ would be the best choice as it will be fun for everyone,” a committee official said Tuesday.

Directed by Ali F. Mostafa of the United Arab Emirates, the drama revolves around three friends who embark on a trip from Abu Dhabi to Beirut in memory of their lost friend.

The director, who’s also known for directing the country’s first-ever feature film “City of Life” in 2009, will visit Korea to attend the opening ceremony and will meet with fans in Seoul and Busan.

The ARAB Film Festival will take place at the Arthouse Momo Theater in Seoul and Busan Cinema Center in Busan from June 4-10. Admission is free. For more information, visit fest.korea-arab.org.

An outdoor film festival is also on tap for movie fans looking for something different.

The Muju Film Festival, which combines outdoor screenings and a series of outdoor events, will take place in Muju, a famous ski resort town in North Jeolla Province, June 4-8.

With the slogan “Exciting, Sympathy, Harmony,” the film festival will feature 53 movies from 23 countries, both indoors and outdoors.

To commemorate the 101th anniversary of the first appearance of Charlie Chaplin’s iconic persona the “Little Tramp,” a prestigious mixed event that combines Chaplin’s 1928 silent movie “The Circus” with a live music concert will take place as an opening event on Thursday evening.

Every film will be screened at no cost. For details, visit

www.mjff.or.kr

.

In the Hongdae district, one of Seoul’s hottest places, a music-themed film festival will screen from Friday to June 14.

This year’s “KT&G Sangsangmadang Music Film Festival” focuses on hip hop, a genre that has immensely affected the pop culture industry. For the opening film, Japanese director Shion Sono’s “Tokyo Tribe,” revolving around street gangs in Tokyo, will be screened.

Sangsangmadang is a cultural complex building run by the Korea Tobacco & Ginseng Corp. For tickets and schedules, visit

www.sangsangmadang.com