The Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) is putting its weight behind local films this year, and, under the catch-phrase 'Way to Go, Korea!' will host the World Premier of 15 Korean features. Headlining is closing film
"I Am Happy" by
Yoon Jong-chan, a psychiatric drama based on a novel by Korean literary giant, the late LEE Chong-jun. The fest runs Oct 2 – 10 in the south-eastern port city of Busan.
PIFF's competition section, New Currents, will see the World Premieres of 3 Korean features. "
Land of Scarecrows" is the sophomore effort by
Noh Kyeong-tae ("
The Last Dining Table"), a poetical cross-section of the lives of Korea's outsiders in pursuit of vanishing dreams. "
Members of the Funeral" by
Baek Seung-bin is an HD feature about a family mourning the passing of relative and the memories it triggers, while
Kim Tae-gon's
"The Pot" focuses on the uncanny happenings surrounding a small family in their new apartment.
In the Korean Cinema Today – Panorama section are several anticipated features, including offbeat comedy "
Crush and Blush", the feature debut by
Lee Kyoung-mi, assistant director to
Park Chan-wook. The film is PARK' s first producing effort and centers on the awkward behavior of a jealous school teacher for her married colleague.
Indie-auteur
Jeon Soo-il is back with a drama set mainly in Nepal, called "
Himalaya, Where the Wind Dwells", starring top thespian
Choi Min-sik.
Other films making their world premiere in this section are "
Heartbreak Library", an erotic thriller by
Kim Jeong-kwon, "
Sisters on the Road", by
Boo Ji-young, a drama following the journey of two half-sisters after their mother's funeral, and
Kim Jeong-joong's "
Oishi Man", about a singer going deaf who travels to Hokkaido to rest.
Accompanying Panorama is the Vision section with several debut selections including PIFF returnee
Ahn Seul-gi's third feature, "
How to Live on Earth", a B-movie send up about the marital troubles of a top spy and her bookish husband, a poet. Also on the program are the autobiographical drama,
"Breathless" by
Yang Ik-joon, "
The Pit and The Pendulum", a labyrinth of memories induced by a funeral gathering by
Sohn Young-sung, street-drama
"Exhausted" by
Kim Gok, "
Let the Blue River Run" by
Kang Mi-ja, "
The Room Nearby" by
Goh Tae-jeong, and horror triptych "
Evil Spirit ; VIY" by
Jinsung Park.
In addition, a Gala presentation will be given to Korean-American director SOHN Soopum's "Make Yourself At Home", psychological drama about a newlywed Korean couple, set in New Jersey. It stars popular actress
Song Hye-kyo in her US debut.
Nigel D'Sa
