The 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), Asia’s largest and most prestigious film festival, has kicked off with a bang, showcasing a diverse range of films from across the globe. Park Chan-wook’s murder comedy, “No Other Choice,” starring Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin, opened the festival to critical acclaim. The film, based on American writer Donald E. Westlake’s novel “The Ax,” follows a desperate laid-off worker who decides to kill off potential competitors for a new job.
This year’s edition of BIFF features 241 official entries from 64 countries, including 90 world premieres. The festival has undergone a revamp, launching its first major competition section featuring 14 titles, including four South Korean pictures. Seasoned Chinese director Zhang Lu’s “Gloaming In Luomu” and Taiwan’s megastar Shu Qi’s directorial debut “Girl” are among the films competing in this section.
BIFF’s Vision Section highlights promising works from independent Asian cinema, showcasing daring and original stories from emerging and mid-career directors. Tribeny Rai’s debut feature, “Shape of Momo,” has been selected for the Vision Section, marking a significant step in its international journey. The film will also be screened at the San Sebastián International Film Festival.
The festival’s lineup is designed to honor Asian cinema in the way it wishes to be understood, with a focus on showcasing acclaimed Asian masters and emerging talents. With a diverse range of films, including “Hana Korea,” a North Korean refugee drama, and “The People Upstairs,” a film about inter-floor noise, BIFF promises to be an unforgettable celebration of film and culture.
The festival will also feature notable guests, including celebrated director and screenwriter Park Chan-wook, known for his films like “Old Boy” and “The Handmaiden”; acclaimed director and screenwriter Bong Joon-ho, known for his films like “Parasite” and “Snowpiercer”; and renowned Chinese director and screenwriter Jia Zhangke, known for his films like “Still Life” and “A Touch of Sin.” The festival’s focus on emerging talents and showcasing new voices in Asian cinema makes it a significant platform for film enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.
