The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) kicked off with the opening of a Netflix period war drama called Uprising, produced by South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook. This marks the first time a streaming title has opened the event, featuring Korean megastar Gang Dong-won in a lead role. The film, directed by Kim Sang-man, is set during Korea’s Joseon Dynasty and follows the story of two friends who become enemies when war breaks out in the country. The movie has garnered attention due to the involvement of Park, known for his work in ultra-violent thrillers like Old Boy.
The decision to open BIFF with a major streaming title has been met with criticism within South Korea’s cinema community, as the festival has traditionally supported emerging talents and small-scale, independent films. Despite setbacks such as the resignation of former festival director Huh Moon-yung and budget cuts from the government, this year’s 29th edition features 224 official entries, with 86 world premieres. The festival aims to showcase a diverse range of films and honor renowned actors and filmmakers in the industry.
The global visibility of Korean and Korean diaspora stories has been on the rise, fueled by popular streaming-only content like Netflix’s Squid Game and Apple TV+’s Pachinko. This trend is reflected in BIFF’s line-up, which includes a variety of films capturing the essence of the culture. The festival will posthumously honor South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun by screening some of his notable works, including Parasite. Additionally, Japanese filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa will receive the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award for his contributions to the horror genre.
Apart from film screenings, BIFF’s Asian Contents and Film Market will host a conference focusing on the integration of AI in content production, a topic of interest in the entertainment industry. Attendees at the festival, like Taiwanese visitor Chung, Yu Chieh, are looking forward to watching films by acclaimed directors such as Hur Jin-ho, whose latest psychological thriller, A Normal Family, features veteran performers like Kim Hee-ae and Jang Dong-gun. Overall, the festival promises to be a special and memorable experience for film enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.
Despite criticism surrounding the choice of opening film and challenges faced by the festival, BIFF continues to showcase a diverse selection of films, honoring talented individuals and providing a platform for industry discussions. The festival’s commitment to supporting emerging filmmakers and promoting cultural exchange remains at the core of its mission. As Asia’s largest film festival, BIFF plays a crucial role in celebrating cinema and fostering connections among filmmakers and audiences from around the world.
