After nine days packed with premieres, international films, parties and of course countless celebrities,
the Busan International Film Festival is about to finish its 19th edition.
To hear all about this year's event, we connect with our film critic Pierce Conran, who is
down in Busan.
Good to see you again, Pierce, it looks like you've been enjoying your time in Busan
It's my third year here and it's still just as overwhelming as when I first visited.
With umpteen world premieres, the Asian Film Market, various projects, markets and umpteen
other events, it's a lot to take in.
But I've seen some great films and caught up with good friends, and I'm sad it'll be
winding down tomorrow.
We've been hearing that this year's festival has put a lot of emphasis on Chinese language
films.
Tell us more about that.
Chinese language films have definitely been dominating the main slots.
The opening and closing films are form Taiwan and Hong Kong, while two of the four gala
presentations are from China.
Add in all the other Chinese films in the rest of the program and the many events and
parties focusing on the industry, not to mention the fact that the Chinese government sent
a delegation of companies to the Asian Film Market for the first time... and something
is definitely up.
What would you say is behind this trend?
There have been
a lot of co-productions between Korea and China of late and the countries even signed
a co-production treaty earlier this year.
Korean actors are also becoming very popular on the mainland, particularly Kim Soo-hyun,
following the enormous success of MY LOVE FROM THE STAR.
And how would you assess the Korean films featured at the festival this year?
There have been a few great ones, but many have commented on the relative tameness of
this year's local selections, at least concerning the new films, since many of the strongest
films of the year have screened elsewhere first.
That said, the big Korean program in Toronto last month likely stole a few big premieres
from BIFF and there have been
a few very strong titles.
Though perhaps no major standout among the rookie directors.
If you had to choose, though, what would it be?
Which do you think will find a life outside of Busan?
I really loved A MIDSUMMER'S FANTASIA, the third film by Jang Kun-jae, who previously
made the festival darling SLEEPLESS NIGHT.
It's a sweet, slow and small film but really quite wonderful and should get a least a few
chances to screen abroad.
I was also very partial to Lee Kwang-kuk's A MATTER OF INTERPRETATION.
His debut ROMANCE JOE was also popular on the circuit and if anything this one is even
more accessible.
Briefly, I think the films END OF WINTER, SOCIALPHOBIA and FACTORY COMPLEX will be heard
from again.
BIFF is often referred to as the Cannes of Asia.
Would you say that's a fair description, and has this year's festival lived up to that?
There's no denying that it is the biggest film event in Asia, and with the 20th edition
coming up next year, it's been around for a while.
The festival has been getting major world premieres for Asian films for years and the
size and stature of the event has grown and is showing no signs of slowing down.
In short, it's a major, influential event that's here to stay.
Alright, thank you, Pierce, for bringing us the latest on Asia's biggest film festival.
We'll see you back here in the studio next week