BIFF lineup opts for more mainstream appeal with Netflix film, BTS documentary

The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is making a determined comeback this year, seeking to recapture its former glory after last year's challenges through a lineup that has a more mainstream appeal.

A still from the 29th Busan International Film Festival's opening film ″Uprising″ [NETFLIX]

The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is making a determined comeback this year, seeking to recapture its former glory after last year's challenges through a lineup that has a more mainstream appeal.

With films ranging from a Netflix period piece to a documentary on BTS’s RM, BIFF is set to kick off its 29th edition on Oct. 2 and run until Oct. 11. A total of 224 films will be screened in seven theaters in Busan, including the Busan Cinema Center, CGV Centum City and Lotte Cinema Centum City.

Netflix’s Korean historical film “Uprising,” directed by Kim Sang-man and produced and co-written by director Park Chan-wook, is set to open the festival. The film revolves around two childhood friends who become adversaries due to their positions in society during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). “Uprising” is also the festival’s first opening film to be selected from a streaming platform.

“We thought that the film would be one of the most mainstream and audience-friendly opening films in the history of the festival,” interim festival director Pak Do-sin said during the festival’s press conference held in Jung District, central Seoul, on Tuesday afternoon. “We never really hesitated because it’s from Netflix. For us, it’s all about the quality of the film itself and how well it resonates with our audience, and especially how much the viewers would enjoy it.”

Busan International Film Festival's chairperson Park Kwang-su speaks during a press conference held in Haeundae District, Busan, ahead of the festival, on Tuesday morning. From left, ACFM director Ellen Y.D. Kim, chairperson Park Kwang-su, interim festival director Pak Do-sin and program director Nam Dong-chul. [NEWS1]

Singaporean director Eric Khoo’s film “Spirit World” was selected as the festival’s closing film, which follows the story of a legendary singer’s spirit life on Earth after her sudden death during a tour in Japan.

Both the opening and closing films are scheduled to have their world premiere during the festival.

The RM documentary film “RM: Right People, Wrong Place” is also set to have its world premiere under the festival’s Open Cinema section. It is the second documentary to be screened under that section, according to programmer Kang So-won.

“We wanted to showcase a diverse range of films, and we believe this documentary offers something special that both devoted fans and general audiences can enjoy,” Kang, who selected the film, said.

A still from BTS's RM documentary film ″RM: Right People, Wrong Place″ [BIGHIT MUSIC]

The programmers also teased that the film's director and some of the artists who appear in the film would hold a stage greeting. However, RM will not be able to attend, as he is completing his mandatory military service.

The festival plans to run three special programs, including one dedicated to the late “Parasite” (2019) actor Lee Sun-kyun, who received BIFF’s Korean Cinema Award this year. The award is given to those who contributed significantly to introducing Korean films to the international film industry.

During the festival, six of the actor's works, such as the films “Parasite,” “A Hard Day” (2014), his posthumous film “Land of Happiness” and tvN series “My Mister” (2018), will be screened.

While the festival works on attracting cinephiles as well as the general public, the festival committee showed a strong determination to restore what the it had lost during last year’s administrative woes, with its leadership position being vacant up until the festival.

A still from film ″Parasite″ (2019) [BIFF]

“I especially focused on the overall harmony and balance of the entire film selection and carefully observed the audience and filmmakers participating in the festival to recover and restore what had been lost during the challenging times,” the festival’s chairperson Park Kwang-su, who was appointed in February, said.

As part of the festival's recovery, it plans to resume the daily paper that it issued during the festival period, operate shuttle buses and rebuild a guest lounge inside Busan Cinema Center for movie insiders to meet and network.

The official poster of the 29th Busan International Film Festival [BIFF]

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]