By Honorary Reporter Elahe Safaei-Jazi from Iran
Photos = Busan Int'l Film Festival and directors

The Busan International Film Festival, the biggest event of its kind in Asia, runs from Oct. 6-15 this year. 

The following are interviews with three Iranian directors whose films are entered in the festival. They gave their thoughts of the event and Korean cinema.

Poster of “Asteroid”

'Asteroid'
This film is about a boy whose father and older brother are absent, so he must work for several months to care for his mother and siblings. 

At the Fajr International Film Festival in Tehran, "Asteroid" was named Best Film in the Eastern Vista section for Asian and Islamic cinema. 

Mehdi Hosseinivand (right), director of "Asteroid"

On the status of the Busan festival in Asia, "Asteroid" director Mehdi Hosseinivand said, "Each festival has unique features depending on its policy and the culture of the host country or region. When we look at East Asian cinema, we can see these differences. At first glance, the structure of the films seems very similar due to cultural similarities among the countries, but this isn't the case."

Poster for "The Absent Director"

'The Absent Director'
Directed by Arvand Dashtaray, this film is entered in the New Currents section of the Busan festival. A young theater group rehearses the Shakespearean play "Macbeth" at the director's home in Tehran, hoping to get to the Edinburgh Theater Festival in the U.K. The director tries to guide his cast through videoconferencing but conflicts arise.

Arvand Dashtaray, director of "The Absent Director"

On what he feels are the salient points of the Busan festival compared to other film events, director Arvand Dashtaray said, "Unfortunately, the selection of Iranian films at most European festivals is influenced by marginal issues, while the approach of the Busan festival is different. This festival makes its selections based on merit and quality, a significant factor because a festival's approach can affect the attitude of artists toward filmmaking."

Poster for "Cloudy Man"

'Cloudy Man'
Directed by Shahin Jalali, this work is Iran's only entry in Busan's Wide Angle section for Asian short films. An elderly man suffers from hand tremors and feels as if he's dying since illness greatly upsets his life balance. But he gets a new lease on life after befriending a young boy.

The director studied cinematography at the Iranian Youth Cinema Society and has worked as a screenwriter, director and film editor.

Shahin Jalali, director of "Cloudy Man"

Jalali said Korean films have produced outstanding works and introduced young and creative filmmakers to the world in recent decades, adding that K-cinema can create a suitable combination with universal appeal by telling indigenous stories with an Eastern flavor. 

enny0611@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.