The film industry has faced enormous challenges in 2020, as theaters have struggled to attract
viewers and productions have had to try and steer clear of Covid-related shutdowns.
Another important sector of the business that has been greatly impacted this year is film
festivals.
However, against the odds, Korea's crown jewel of film events, the Busan International Film
Festival, is kicking off its 25th edition as we speak.
There are adjustments to this year's film fest opening amid the pandemic in South Korea's
southeastern port city of Busan.
All events including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies have been canceled; international
invitations suspended, no Open Talk, no Meet the Guest - measures that are in alignment
with South Korea's level two coronavirus restriction guidelines.
This, in spite of the fact that this country recently relaxed some of those measures and
lowered social distancing to level one.
Busan International Film Festival like we've never seen before.
Let's talk about it.
Our film critic, Pierce Conran, joins us tonight to discuss what kinds of events Busan has
been able to put on this year.
Pierce, it's lovely to see you again.
So, it looks like it's BIFF the pandemic style this year.
You and I have been covering BIFF for years together, but I think this is a first that
I actually have you in the studio on opening night.
Wouldn't you normally be at the festival today?
-normally, but no press this year -experiencing festival virtually this year,
through online screening room running throughout festival.
No Red Carpet, no outdoor greeting, no talk to talk.
What are some Covid preventive measures that are being taken on site?
What about the size of the film festival this year?
Is it smaller due to Covid?
How many films from how many countries are being featured in Busan this year?
Press may not be down in Busan this year, but the festival is holding on-site screenings
and welcoming viewers.
Who is able to go and what kind of numbers are they expecting?
-Less films than usual, only 1 screening per film (normally 3)
-One venue (Korean Cinema Center in Centum City), 50 seats for indoor, 100 for outdoor
-200,000 viewers in normal year, only 10,000 seats available this year
-Festival is for the fans this year, so anyone is able to get a ticket.
Limited seats not wasted on press or guests (far less than usual)
-No badges this year, so very democratic in a sense
What are some the big films screening this year?
Any major guests at the festival?
-(Opening) SEPTET: THE STORY OF HK -MINARY - Isaac Lee Chung, Steven Yeun, Han
Ye-ri, Youn Yuh-jung, oscar candidate -(Closing) JOSEE, THE TIGER AND THE FISH - New
Japanese animated version of cult classic
Compared to the other major Korean festivals, like Jeonju and BiFan, how has Busan coped
with Covid this year?
-Structure has been fluid over the past few months, along with fluctuation Covid developments,
as late as last month, there was a chance it wouldn’t happen at all
-No press, no into guests like all three -Welcoming visitors, unlike Jeonju
-Jury is online, unlike Jeonju, BiFan
As a film critic, but also an avid film fan, I know you like to dig and look for lesser
known films.
Beyond the heavy hitters, are their any local titles you're particularly looking forward
to?
-VESTIGE - Jang Kun-jae and Kim Jong-kwan -BEYOND YOU - Park Hong-min’s latest after
ALONE -OUR JOYFUL SUMMER DAYS - Lee Yu-bin, director
of SHUTTLECOCK -Byeond that, thrill of discovery, finding
great films from completely unknown directors
With events going virtual or welcoming very small crowds on site, do you think this is
a sustainable business model for festivals?
How much longer can these events continue like this?
-Actually quite lucky in Korea, as government subsidies put less pressure on profitability,
by contract U.S. festivals are in dire straits -That said, an enormously challenging time,
and one has to consider the value of screening film at these scaled-down events
When that will be is a big question for the entire world, but when we do reach the end
of this pandemic... so once we're out of this pandemic, will festivals go back to the way
they were or will this period have forced them to evolve somehow?
Do you think this is only the beginning of a major shift in the way international film
festivals are held?
A New Normal for film festivals, if you will.
-Unclear of yet and a fluid situation, but more online components are inevitable
-This could lead to democratisation of film viewership, but festivals need to find new,
innovative ways to attract audiences -Korean festivals are fantastic have stuck
to a very rigid model for years.
If nothing else, this may force them to modernise more aggressively
Speaking of this kind of viewer evolution, there's also been some big news recently about
CGV closing nearly a third of its locations.
Not only that some big films are skipping theatrical releases and
going straight to Netflix.
-CGV to also 30% of theaters in 3 years, raised prices
-SPACE SWEEPERS probably going to Netlfix -CALL going to Netflix global Nov 27
How is the industry reacting to this news?
Are these temporary measures or are we looking at a more permanent paradigm shift?
-Scary times.
Despite a late summer rally (DELIVER with 4.3 million viewers), viewers haven’t really
returned after the latest spike and stabilisation.
Have they become used to not going to cinemas?
-TV is doing great, and Korean content getting more eyeballs overseas
-Acceleration of movement of film personnel to streaming/TV
-Incoming foreign streamers?
Apple+ has
announced PACHINKO with Lee Min-ho
Pierce Conran, our go to film
critic here
at Arirang News, always a pleasure to
discuss
films
with you.
Thank you.