8th Korean Film Festival Brussels 'New Horizons'
The Korean Film Festival is back in Brussels from October 16 to 23 for its 8th edition!
The Korean Film Festival returns for an 8th edition from October 16 to 23, 2020 at Bozar and Cinéma Galeries, where it will present a rich program filled with several national and international previews. No less than 17 films are on the menu - short and feature films. Peninsula by YEON Sang-ho – part of the official selection of Cannes this summer – is the opening film of the festival and will be screened in Bozar. The particular context of the current health crisis has some repercussions, in particular on the limited number of spectators, in order to ensure proper compliance with the measures in force. On October 30, the opening and closing film will be screened at the Cinémathèque Luxembourg.
'New Horizons' sheds light on South Korea today in light of the events that have marked its recent history and society.
The May 18th democratic movement in Gwangju, whose 40th anniversary was celebrated this year, has claimed more than 600 victims and has permanently changed Korean society. The revolt and the events that followed still inspire film directors.
As for the recent global mobilization for women's rights, they have also questioned the Korean film industry. Both in the image given to women on screen and in the distribution of roles in front of and behind the camera.
Special Focus 1: After Uprising
Korea went through difficult times until it became an economic powerhouse and the people were politically active. This selection offers a dive into the contemporary political history of South Korea. After Uprising commemorates the 40th anniversary of the popular uprising in Gwangju - which took place from May 18 to 27, 1980 - and its aftermath. Between student revolts, settling of scores, collapses of department stores, financial crisis...
Special Focus 2: Rise of Womens’ Cinema
Since 2010, a new feminist wave has emerged in South Korea, as elsewhere, calling for more gender equality. This strong mobilization has had repercussions on the Korean film industry in all areas: in film schools, festivals, in front of and behind the camera and of course in directing. The four films selected are the work of Korean female directors of different generations and diverse influences. They offer a fresh and spectacular look at the world today.
Korean Film Today
This section features recent films that were much talked about when they were released in Korea.
The two feature films, Bori and Innocent Witness, deal with disability from the perspective of children and adults.
As for the screening of short films, it includes two fiction films and two animated films. The Thread on the border between documentary and fiction portrays a seamstress, and Walking Backwards is a road movie with young Korean and Japanese in search of the same person. The End of the Universe asks questions about life versus death, and Movements reflects on the movement of different species. These two animated films offer both cinematic interest and introspection to audiences.