A Korean film festival in the heart of the Renaissance has gathered much interest in Florence, Italy. The 12th Florence Korea Film Fest is the first of many events taking place in Italy throughout the year in commemoration of the 130th anniversary of the Korea-Italy diplomatic relationship. The film festival, which started in 2003, is the oldest Korean film festival in Europe and attracts some 100,000 viewers every year. The film festival ends March 30.

The opening film, "Hide and Seek," was shown at the opening ceremony held at the Cinema Odeon on March 21, and its director, Huh Jung, appeared on stage greeted by nearly 1,000 fans, filling the whole auditorium.

Korean actors and directors, including actor Choi Min-shik, actor Song Hae-sung from "Boomerang Family," director Kim Hyun-seok of "AM 11:00," director Park Myoung-rang of "An Ethics Lesson," and director Lee Yong-seung of "10 Minutes," were at the festival. During the festival, there was a special screening of eight films starring Choi Min-shik, including "New World," "I Saw the Devil," "Old Boy" and "Chihwaseon." Choi also met with the audience and press on March 25.






A total of 52 Korean films are being screened at the festival, and there are additional events, too, such as meetings between directors and audiences and taekwondo and calligraphy performances, as well as a Korea Film Party. The film "Boomerang Family" will close the festival on March 30.

Earlier at the Palazzo Strozzi in Florence, there was a ceremony to mark the 130th anniversary of the Korea-Italia diplomatic relationship attended by 500 people, including Florence and Tuscany provincial officials and City Council President Eugenio Giani of Florence.

Korean Ambassador to Italy Bae Jae-hyun, and Antonio Verde, an official from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs who is responsible for Asia and Pacific affairs, made congratulatory remarks, celebrating the anniversary and the friendly relationship between the two countries.

"Korea and Italy have the shared universal values of democracy, human rights, peace and market economy, ever since the diplomatic relationship was formalized on June 26, 1884, overcoming various historical obstacles," Bae said. "The two nations are some of the biggest traders in the world and closely cooperate in the Group of 20 and at the UN."

"The Italian prime minister was the first European leader with whom President Park Geun-hye had a summit after her inauguration in 2013. The two leaders agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in business, culture and other areas, including youth exchanges, to further develop their bilateral relationship," he said. "The Asia-Europe Meeting to be held in Milan this year, and the EXPO in 2015, will be good chances for Italy to lead and we are going to participate in these events. With plans to arrange visits by heads of state to each other's country, we hope to lay the groundwork for further cooperation.

"In honor of the 130th anniversary of the Korea-Italy diplomatic relationship, we are grateful that the Florence Korea Film Fest was arranged as the first event to mark the anniversary," said Verde. "Films are mediums from which we can learn about each other and this festival, with the screening of 50 films, will be an opportunity to raise awareness about Korea in Italy."








There are a wide range of events throughout the year to mark the anniversary. There will be a Korean craft exhibition in Milan from April 8 to 13, a creative industry forum on June 5 and a seminar of assemblymen from both countries in June. Korea will also be the main guest country at the Pitti Uomo fashion exhibition from June 17 to 20. The leaders of the two nations are going to exchange congratulatory messages on the date of the anniversary, June 26.

There will also be a naval review of cruisers in September and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art's "The Future is Now" media art exhibition at the MAXXI, the National Museum of the 21st Century Arts, in Italy in December.


By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
jun2@korea.kr