"Fighter" and "Short Vacation" are two Korean indie movies invited to the 71st Berlin International Film Festival. (From left: Indiestory and Film Dabin) 

By Kim Eun-young and Yoon Hee Young

Two indie films have received invitations to compete in the Generation category of the 71st Berlin International Film Festival.

The distribution companies of both movies on Feb. 17 said "Fighter" will compete in Generation 14plus, a section aimed at ages 14 and over, and "Short Vacation" in Generation Kplus, aimed at ages 4 and over.

"Fighter” is about a North Korean defector in South Korea who becomes a boxer. (Busan International Film Festival)

"Fighter" is the second feature film by director Yun Je-ho, whose first was "Beautiful Days" in 2018. With a protagonist who finds her passion for life through boxing, the work has received acclaim for harmonizing character self-reflection and aesthetics. At last year's Busan International Film festival, the film won the awards for Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema and Actress of the Year.

"Short Vacation" is about four middle school classmates who take on an unusual summer project. (Busan International Film Festival)

As the debut feature of co-directors Kwon Min-pyo and Seo Han-sol, "Short Vacation" is about four middle school classmates whose homework for summer vacation is to "take pictures of the end of the world with an analog camera."

Started in 1978, the Generation section promotes films exploring the lives and world of children and teenagers. Two Korean films have won this award: director Kim Bo-ra's "House of Hummingbird" in 2019 and Yoon Ga-eun's "Sprout" in 2014.

Normally held every February, the Berlinale this year will be held online next month due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

eykim86@korea.kr