Actor Michelle Yeoh sees endless possibilities after receiving BIFF awardBUSAN — Academy Award-winning actor Michelle Yeoh stressed the importance of embracing new possibilities in cinema after receiving the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). "It has been 15 years since the last time I visited, and it is wonderful," Yeoh said. "The city looks amazing. Thank you for a really warm welcome. I remember when I arrived three days ago, and there was a double rainbow,” Yeoh said during a press conference at Busan Cinema Center in Busan Wednesday. “To receive this award means so much, and I am deeply grateful for it because I think, like the Busan International Film Festival, we have come a long way." The acclaimed actor, who previously visited the festival in 2002 for industry exchanges and in 2011 with her film "The Lady," was honored with the award at the BIFF for her massive contributions to global cinema. Throughout her legendary career, she led the golden age of Hong Kong cinema with iconic titles like "Police Story 3 Supercop" (1992) before making her global mark in "Tomorrow Never Dies" (1997), "CrouchOct 7, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
BIFF jury advocates creative freedom amid 'The Assassin(s)' controversyBUSAN — Renowned film director Zhang Yimou and fellow jury members of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) called for the protection of artistic freedom on Wednesday, addressing the fierce controversy surrounding the film "The Assassin(s)." Zhang, known for such movies as "Red Sorghum" (1988), "Raise the Red Lantern" (1991) and "Not One Less" (1999), serves as jury president of BIFF’s competition section. He weighed in on the boundary between historical fact and artistic interpretation. "Creation is creation," Zhang said during a press conference, stressing that creative works should not be bound strictly to historical facts. "Even historical truth itself can often be a subject of debate. Movies serve as an artistic medium that conveys stories from the past to people living today. Viewers may interpret a film differently, and some may disagree with other opinions, but that diversity of perspective is precisely where the charm of cinema lies." Although Zhang acknowledged that he has not yet watched "The Assassin(s)," he said he was aware of the public debate surrounding tOct 7, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Actor Yoo Hae-jin put under police protection amid threats over film controversyPolice said Tuesday they have placed actor Yoo Hae-jin under protection following escalating threats over a film he starred in that has drawn intense backlash over alleged historical distortion. Seoul Seongbuk Police Station has provided Yoo with a smartwatch and registered him on the emergency 112 system, while stepping up patrol around his residence, officials said. The measures, however, do not include assigning a dedicated officer to the actor. A police official said protective measures can be taken if there are reasons to anticipate potential harm. Yoo has faced criticism from conservatives over his role in "The Assassin(s)," a movie depicting the 1974 assassination of then first lady Yuk Young-su, wife of late former President Park Chung-hee. Conservative groups are strongly criticizing the movie for allegedly implying Park's involvement in his wife's death, rather than the assassin, Moon Se-kwang, who was held accountable for the shooting. Conservative civic groups have staged protests outside Yoo's home in northern Seoul, demanding the movie be pulled from theaters and calling forOct 6, 2026By Yonhap
Busan Int'l Film Festival kicks off star-studded 10-day runBUSAN — The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) opened Tuesday for a 10-day run, bringing 316 films from 59 countries to Korea’s southeastern port city and ushering in an expanded set of cinema events with international prestige. The opening ceremony, hosted by actor Kim Min-ha, took place at the Busan Cinema Center, officially kicking off Asia’s largest film festival. Following the opening ceremony, director Kim Jong-kwan’s "The Table: Day and Night" will have its world premiere as the opening film. The movie explores the intersecting lives of four couples visiting a cafe during the transition from summer to autumn. Kim expressed his gratitude for the festival's spotlight on details, lauding their importance for his film, which weaves together four separate stories. "This movie is a story about small, subtle things, focusing on the meaning and beauty held within them," Kim said during a press conference at the Busan Cinema Center. "I am deeply honored and delighted to present this film on such a prestigious stage as the opening of the Busan International Film Festival.Oct 6, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Astana AI Film Festival crowns winners, $450,000 Grand Prize goes to LatviaKazakhstan hosted the inaugural Astana AI Film Festival, drawing 8,067 entries from 125 countries and becoming the world’s largest international competition for artificial intelligence (AI)-generated films. The festival’s Grand Prix and $450,000 prize, equivalent to around 201.5 million tenge, went to Latvian filmmaker Nikolay Shestak for "The First Honest Day." Kazakhstan’s Myrzakhan Zhumakhan won the Best Character category for his comedy "It Was Just a Joke." The film follows a dog and its owner’s brother as they quarrel over a prank, with events unfolding like a blockbuster. Zhumakhan said he enjoys pranks and humor, which inspired him to create the story. The second-place award of $200,000, or about 89.5 million tenge, went to India’s "SITARA," while Spain’s "Looking For Perseida" took third place and $100,000, equivalent to around 44.8 million tenge. Only 25 films were selected from thousands of submissions to reach the final. They were evaluated by an international jury that included former UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and investor Balaji Srinivasan. The festiOct 6, 2026By Qazinform
'Reawaken Man: The Red' defies death, gravity in bold action gamble"Reawaken Man: The Red" is action through and through. Koo Kyo-hwan, an actor who has moved fluidly across genres, takes on a new challenge by diving headfirst into action in "Reawaken Man: The Red." At a time when Korean action films have increasingly emphasized realistic combat and visceral impact, the film makes a bold choice by building its spectacle around a decidedly unrealistic premise: resurrection. Based on the popular webtoon of the same name, "Reawaken Man: The Red" follows Seok-hwan, played by Koo, an unemployed job seeker who discovers that he comes back to life 72 hours after dying. That extraordinary ability soon makes him the target of a relentless pursuit. The story builds on the idea that an ordinary man becomes increasingly powerful each time he dies and returns. At a relatively brisk 101 minutes, the film compresses its narrative into a fast-paced package that rarely slows down. Action is what gives the story much of that momentum. Because Seok-hwan's unusual ability is revealed through a cycle of death and resurrection, how the filmmakers translate that premise into aOct 6, 2026By Hankookilbo
Busan film fest kicks off with 'A-list' status for 1st timeBUSAN — The 31st edition of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) begins its 10-day run Tuesday, with the festival seeking to bolster its global presence with its first "A-list" accreditation by a prominent global organization of filmmakers. This year's event will run through Oct. 15 in the southeastern South Korean city of Busan with 247 official selections from 59 nations, which marks the biggest slate since 2019, according to organizers. Of the total, 95 films will have their world premieres at BIFF. It marks the first time the event is taking place after the International Federation of Film Producers Associations selected BIFF as one of its 17 A-list festivals, alongside prestigious film fests, such as Cannes, Berlin and Venice. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has also added BIFF to the list of six film fests where the top winner of the Busan Award will be eligible for submission to the Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category. A seven-member jury, led by Chinese auteur Zhang Yimou, will choose the winners for the Busan Award among 14 films shorOct 6, 2026By Yonhap
'The Assassin(s)' lead actor vows firm response to protesters outside his homeLead actor Yoo Hae-jin of the controversial film “The Assassin(s)” said he will take a firm stance against protesters who gathered outside his Seoul home over the weekend, his agency said Monday. VAST Entertainment said it was taking the matter seriously. “We will take a firm stance against any actions that violate the actor’s privacy, threaten his safety or tarnish his reputation,” the agency said in a statement. The agency added it was collecting relevant online posts and other materials and would take all necessary measures to protect Yoo’s rights and safety against illegal acts. On Sunday, members of conservative civic groups held a protest near Yoo’s home in Seoul’s Seongbuk District, calling for the film to be pulled from theaters and demanding apologies from its cast and production team. “The Assassin(s)” centers on the 1974 assassination attempt on then-President Park Chung-hee. Park survived the attack, while then-first lady Yuk Young-soo was killed. An official investigation concluded that Mun Se-gwang, a Korean resident of Japan, acted alone under instructioOct 5, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
Film guilds ask for healthy debate on 'The Assassin(s)' without targeting filmmakersMajor Korean filmmaking organizations have voiced deep concern over escalating personal attacks and safety threats targeting the cast and crew of "The Assassin(s)," calling for a rational dialogue that respects artistic freedom and protects creators from harassment. On Friday night, the Producers Guild of Korea (PGK) and the Cinematographers Guild of Korea (CGK) issued separate statements as political controversy surrounding the historical thriller crossed the line into physical threats against those involved in its production. "While historical events invite diverse interpretations, the current controversy has escalated beyond criticism of the work itself into direct threats against the production company, director, cast and crew," the PGK said. "Exposing the personal details and family relationships of individuals who participated in a project, or exerting pressure on their normal activities, goes far beyond legitimate criticism and can never be justified." The guild urged protesters to immediately refrain from making threats, defaming individuals and spreading unverified claims. The CGOct 2, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
'Possible Love' asks if love can survive without understandingHow much understanding does love require? Must two people fully understand each other, look in the same direction and inhabit similar worlds for their relationship to endure? Or can remaining beside someone, even with parts of them that may never make sense, also be called love? Those questions linger long after watching director Lee Chang-dong's new film "Possible Love." The film begins with an encounter between two married couples from sharply different worlds. Ho-seok, played by Sul Kyung-gu, is a laid-off worker living with his wife Mi-ok, played by Jeon Do-yeon. Ye-ji, played by Cho Yeo-jeong, is a documentary filmmaker who wants to capture their lives on camera, while Zo In-sung plays her husband Sang-woo. As the couples grow closer, their desires and emotional voids gradually come to the surface. The film opens with an ominous commandment that reverberates throughout the film: "You shall not covet your neighbor's possessions." Modern life constantly invites people to look at what others have: a better home, more money, greater stability or perhaps a more desirable spouse. Few are eOct 2, 2026By Hankookilbo
