It's only one more day until the opening of the 16th Jeonju International Film Festival, a feast for independent films from across the globe. Running from April 30 through to May 9, the festival is scheduled to showcase some 200 films, both full-length films and shorts, invited to the city from 47 nations around the world. Among them are 45 films being screened for the first time.
The opening film is "Partisan," directed by Australia's Ariel Kleiman. It is set in a closed community isolated from the outside world, sheltering vulnerable women and children. The only male is Gregory, a father figure in the community. Alexander, the protagonist, is his prize pupil. Trained under Gregory, Alexander succeeds in dangerous errands and becomes a star employee. However, his eyes are slowly opened to the hypocrisy of the world and he realizes that where he lives is not heaven. Premiered at the Sundance festival, the movie is Kleiman's first full-length movie.
This year's film festival adopts open-air theaters for the first time. Among the open-air movies recommended by the festival organizing committee is Stephen Daldry's "Trash." It's a story about orphans who pick their hopes from a rubbish heap. One day, they find a wallet by accident and are afterward chased by the police. They start to fight for justice against those who are trying to hide something. The film gives viewers an insight into the harshness of reality and also some cinematic fun.
The three films of the Jeonju Cinema Project, funded by the festival, are worth some attention, too. Lee Hyunjung's "Samnye" is about a trip that future film director Seung-woo takes to the town of Samnye in pursuit of a story. Seung-woo bumps into Hee-in in a village and immediately falls for her. He is attracted to her charm and bizarre energy. It gives him an inspiration for a story and a sense of inner chaos at the same time.
Kim Hee-jung's "Snow Paths" is about an alcoholic. Jeongwoo is in his 30s and goes into rehab, deep in the mountains, to save himself. While struggling from withdrawal symptoms, he meets Teresa Maria and shares subtle emotions with her. He seems to have overcome his withdrawal symptoms after he gets to know her. However, when a hunter visits the rehab center, Jeongwoo follows him with the intention of drinking the booze that's in his bag. He is finally isolated in a hut by the heavy snowfall.
Benjamin Naishtat's "El Movimiento" is an apocalyptic black and white movie set in 1835 when Argentina was in chaos with no leader. Senor decides to leave the lawless society and moves to the Pampas in southern Argentina to launch his ambitious project: the creation of a political movement. He forces and threatens people to follow his orders, insisting that his actions are necessary to form a new country. He grows to become a horrifying dictator. Previously, Naishtat was in the spotlight for his full-length film "History of Fear." Movie fans have high hopes for his new and upcoming cinematic experiment.
There are more than just the 200 movie screenings during the festival, including a variety of exhibitions, events and street performances. The Jeonju Sports Stadium, venue for both opening and closing ceremonies, will host parties for movie fans, food festivals and more. The CGV Jeonju Hyoja branch, the main movie theater in the city, will run its "Midnight in Cinema" program, allowing movie lovers to enjoy movies late into the night. Also, "Cinematology Class" will be offered to increase people's understanding of cinema. It's like a panel discussion between experts and filmmakers, followed by a movie screening.
More information is provided at the Jeonju International Film Festival website:
http://eng.jiff.or.kr
By Lee Seung-ah
Korea.net Staff Writer
slee27@korea.kr
Directed by Australia's Ariel Kleiman, 'Partisan' is the opening film at this year's festival. The story revolves around a ten-year-old boy who criticizes the hypocrisy and violence that exists in society.
The opening film is "Partisan," directed by Australia's Ariel Kleiman. It is set in a closed community isolated from the outside world, sheltering vulnerable women and children. The only male is Gregory, a father figure in the community. Alexander, the protagonist, is his prize pupil. Trained under Gregory, Alexander succeeds in dangerous errands and becomes a star employee. However, his eyes are slowly opened to the hypocrisy of the world and he realizes that where he lives is not heaven. Premiered at the Sundance festival, the movie is Kleiman's first full-length movie.
Stephen Daldry's 'Trash' tells the story of orphans who chase their hopes and seek justice while living in and around a rubbish heap. Festival-goers can enjoy this movie at the open-air theater.
This year's film festival adopts open-air theaters for the first time. Among the open-air movies recommended by the festival organizing committee is Stephen Daldry's "Trash." It's a story about orphans who pick their hopes from a rubbish heap. One day, they find a wallet by accident and are afterward chased by the police. They start to fight for justice against those who are trying to hide something. The film gives viewers an insight into the harshness of reality and also some cinematic fun.
The three films of the Jeonju Cinema Project, funded by the festival, are worth some attention, too. Lee Hyunjung's "Samnye" is about a trip that future film director Seung-woo takes to the town of Samnye in pursuit of a story. Seung-woo bumps into Hee-in in a village and immediately falls for her. He is attracted to her charm and bizarre energy. It gives him an inspiration for a story and a sense of inner chaos at the same time.
Lee Hyunjung's 'Samnye' shows a future film director's inner conflicts and passion for screenplay ideas.
Kim Hee-jung's "Snow Paths" is about an alcoholic. Jeongwoo is in his 30s and goes into rehab, deep in the mountains, to save himself. While struggling from withdrawal symptoms, he meets Teresa Maria and shares subtle emotions with her. He seems to have overcome his withdrawal symptoms after he gets to know her. However, when a hunter visits the rehab center, Jeongwoo follows him with the intention of drinking the booze that's in his bag. He is finally isolated in a hut by the heavy snowfall.
Benjamin Naishtat's "El Movimiento" is an apocalyptic black and white movie set in 1835 when Argentina was in chaos with no leader. Senor decides to leave the lawless society and moves to the Pampas in southern Argentina to launch his ambitious project: the creation of a political movement. He forces and threatens people to follow his orders, insisting that his actions are necessary to form a new country. He grows to become a horrifying dictator. Previously, Naishtat was in the spotlight for his full-length film "History of Fear." Movie fans have high hopes for his new and upcoming cinematic experiment.
There are more than just the 200 movie screenings during the festival, including a variety of exhibitions, events and street performances. The Jeonju Sports Stadium, venue for both opening and closing ceremonies, will host parties for movie fans, food festivals and more. The CGV Jeonju Hyoja branch, the main movie theater in the city, will run its "Midnight in Cinema" program, allowing movie lovers to enjoy movies late into the night. Also, "Cinematology Class" will be offered to increase people's understanding of cinema. It's like a panel discussion between experts and filmmakers, followed by a movie screening.
More information is provided at the Jeonju International Film Festival website:
http://eng.jiff.or.kr
By Lee Seung-ah
Korea.net Staff Writer
slee27@korea.kr
The 16th Jeonju International Film Festival takes place from April 30 to May 9.
