Bucheon film fest presents fantastic program
By Jason Bechervaise
The Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), which will embark on its 20th edition from July 21 to 31, has established itself as one of Asia’s leading festivals in terms of genre cinema.
Under the theme, “Love, Fantasy and Adventure,” this year’s festival will screen a total of 302 films from 49 countries (189 features, 113 shorts). This will include 49 world premieres, 23 international premieres, 71 Asian premieres and 89 Korean premieres.
Given the large number of films, it can be a challenge to navigate the program, which brings another fantastic selection of films this year giving true meaning to the festival’s name.
It is, of course, impossible to see everything, but here are some recommendations worth checking out.
'Captain Fantastic'
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A scene from “Captain Fantastic”
The festival kicks off with the Asian premiere of Matt Ross’ coming-of-age story “Captain Fantastic.” Viggo Mortensen (“Lord of the Rings”) plays a father of six children who raises them alone in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. But when his wife kills herself, he leaves the world of isolation and goes to New Mexico to attend her funeral.
The film premiered in Sundance earlier this year, later being invited to Un Certain Regard in Cannes. Together with its BIFAN invitation as this year’s opening film and the strong critical reaction to the film so far, that’s surely indicative the film is worth seeking a ticket for.
'The Wailing'
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A scene from “The Wailing”
In BIFAN’s competition section, the festival is showing Na Hong-jin’s masterpiece “The Wailing,” which is the first screening with English subtitles in Korea. This is a must-see.
In May, the film was a massive critical and commercial success. At the box office, it accumulated 6.8 million admissions, and the response to the film was in some ways unprecedented.
The film is dark, but all you need to know is that is takes place in a village where a series of mysterious deaths perplexes the local law enforcement.
It stars Kwak Do-won, Hwang Jung-min and Chun Woo-hee in what many critics have described as the best Korean film in years.
“Under the Shadow”
Another film that stands out in this strand of the program is the critically acclaimed “Under the Shadow” directed by Babal Anvari, set in Tehran in 1988 where a mother and daughter struggle to deal with the Iran-Iraq War bloodshed as a mysterious evil stalks their apartment.
This film also premiered in Sundance earlier this year, and comparisons have been made to the 2014 hit “The Babadook” which also screened at BIFAN two years ago.
It has also been acquired by the online streaming giant Netflix illustrating its appeal, but this is an opportunity to see it on the big screen.
“Karaoke Crazies”
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A scene from “Karaoke Crazies”
Although not released yet in Korea, Kim Sang-chan’s bonkers but delightful “Karaoke Crazies” predominantly set in a karaoke bar is a hidden gem.
It follows the owner of a karaoke bar located in a small town as he tries to revive his ailing karaoke business by hiring a “helper.”
Having premiered this March at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, and also been invited to the Edinburgh International Film Festival in June, it demonstrates its growing status on the festival circuit. It is unusual, but its eccentricity is both charming and comical, which should also please audiences at BIFAN where it will have its Asian premiere in the Korean Fantastic: Features.
'Creepy'
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A scene from “Creepy”
Renowned for his horror films, Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s (“Cure” (1997)) new psychological thriller follows a former police detective who receives a request from an ex-colleague to look into a missing family case.
The film bowed in Berlin to strong reviews in February, and given how a good dose of horror films has been a popular remedy to combat the sweltering summer heat, this could resonate with audiences with its Korean premiere in the World Fantastic Red Section.
This year, the section has been split into two: red (“bloodshed horrors and breathtaking thrillers”) and blue (science fiction, comedy, musicals, and romantic films).
“Midnight Special”
In this blue strand of the section is Jeff Nichols’ sci-fi film starring Michael Shannon and Joel Edgerton, which competed for the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival earlier on this year.
The film’s protagonist escapes from a religious cult in Texas with his eight-year-old son, soon finding himself in a nationwide manhunt involving the highest levels of the American federal government when they discover the boy has special powers.
Although not a hit with all critics, response to the film thus far has been by and large very strong.
“Seoul Station”
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A scene from “Seoul Station”
Yeon Sang-ho’s (“The King of Pigs”) live-action zombie film “Train to Busan” is to hit local screens on July 20 which is also certainly recommended for viewers who are after a fun ride. But this year’s closing film “Seoul Station” presents an opportunity to see Yeon’s animated prequel.
Yeon’s latest animation begins at Seoul Station where a homeless old man rises from the dead and begins aggressively attacking others. Soon the whole city is contending with a zombie outbreak, which later spreads to a KTX train seen in the live-action sequel.
Other films
It’s also worth mentioning the “20 Years, 20 Favorites program,” which gives a chance to see some of the best genre films to celebrate the festival’s 20th birthday. This includes classics in the realm of genre cinema: Christopher Nolan’s “Memento,” Nakata Hideo’s “Ring,” Jang Joon-hwan’s “Save the Green Planet” and Na Hong-jin’s “The Chaser.”
Industry Programs
Under the new leadership of festival director Choi Yong-bae, this year’s festival will introduce B.I.G (BIFAN Industry Gathering) to strengthen its industry program, alongside Network of Asian Fantastic Films (NAFF), which has been running since 2008.
Therefore, there is a wide range of programs during the festival dedicated to those in or interested in the genre and Asian film industries, which includes a case study on Korea and China co-productions, a K-Star showcase as well as the NAFF Fantastic Film School.
Please refer to the festival’s website
for more information.
Jason Bechervaise is a film columnist for The Korea Times. He can be reached at
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