By Honorary Reporter Samantha Pinto do Nascimento Rosado from Brazil

The 14th Korean Film Festival in Brazil from June 12-19 screened a curated selection of feature and short movies the multiplex REAG Belas Artes in Sao Paolo.

Jointly organized by the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in Sao Paolo, Pandora Films, Belas Artes Group and Korean Film Council, the event featured premieres and interactive sessions with Korean directors and critics.

"Brazil and Korea share a profound artistic sensibility, which makes this dialogue through cinema all the more enriching," KCC Director Kim Cheul Hong said in a news release. "Promoting this exchange is a key part of the mission of the (KCC) in Brazil, which aims to bring Brazilians closer to the stories, values, and contemporary expressions of our culture."

June 11 saw the screening of the opening film "Cobweb" (2023), attended by its director Kim Jee-woon. Known for hits like "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" (2008) and "I Saw the Devil" (2010), he recently won Best Director at the Chunsa Film Art Awards and the Korean Film Producers Association for the black comedy.

The Cannes-selected work, set against the backdrop of Korea in the 1970s when the nation was ruled by a military regime, features a cast including Song Kang-ho of "Parasite" (2019) fame.

Black-and-white scene from "Cobweb" (Pandora Films)

Song plays a director who completes his latest film and has haunting dreams suggesting that a different ending could elevate his work to masterpiece status. The narrative employs a "film within a film" structure, distinguishing between reality and cinema through color and black-and-white sequences.

Director Kim Jee-woon on June 11 attends the premiere of "Cobweb" at the Korean Film Festival at the multiplex REAG Belas Artes in Sao Paolo, Brazil. (Samantha Pinto)

At the premiere, Kim explained his film's historical context, saying, "The 1970s in Korea were a period of darkness, marked by violent censorship under the military regime. This film portrays not just the realities of filmmaking during that era, but also our perpetual struggle to grow through our dreams."

Switching to his impression of Brazil, he added, "When we think of Brazil, we think of football (soccer) and samba, but also great films and talented directors. I'm really looking forward to meeting Brazilian film lovers."

Film critic Oh Dong-jin attends the premiere of “Cobweb” in Sao Paulo. (Samantha Pinto)

Film critic Oh Dong-jin, known for his work with EBS, YTN and Film 2.0, joined the prescreening discussions.

msjeon22@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.