DMZ Docs film festival hopes to make a difference through storytelling

Not far from the North Korean border, the 16th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival, also known as DMZ Docs, opened its doors on Thursday afternoon at the Imjingak Pyeonghwa Nuri Open-air Stage in Paju, Gyeonggi.

The 16th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival's opening ceremony is held at the Imjingak Pyeonghwa-Nuri Open-air Stage in Paju, Gyeonggi,on Thursday. [DMZ DOCS]

Not far from the North Korean border, the 16th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival, also known as DMZ Docs, opened its doors on Thursday afternoon at the Imjingak Pyeonghwa Nuri Open-air Stage in Paju, Gyeonggi, with the hope of making even a small difference in creating a better world through the lens of documentary storytelling.

“This year's documentary film festival strives not to turn a blind eye to the conflicts, violence and wars occurring around the world, but rather to show the harsh realities and tragedies as they truly are,” Paju Mayor Kim Kyung-il, who is also the vice chairman of the festival’s organizing committee, said during the opening ceremony declaration. “Knowing the truth that peace is not a given. When we remember the responsibility and effort needed to maintain peace and act on it, peace will linger longer and will speak a greater hope."

Under the slogan “Act out for friendship and solidarity,” this year’s opening ceremony was hosted by lawyer Lim Jae-sung and actor Gong Min-jeung, along with performances from bandoneonist JP Jofre and singer Jung Dong-ha.

The attendees of the 16th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival's opening ceremony, held at the Imjingak Pyeonghwa-Nuri Open-air Stage in Paju, Gyeonggi, on Thursday [DMZ DOCS]

Paju Mayor Kim Kyung-il and DMZ International Documentary Film Festival director Chang Hae-rang declares the opening of the festival during the opening ceremony held at Imjingak Pyeonghwa-Nuri in Paju, Gyeonggi, on Thursday. [DMZ DOCS]

“Winds freely cross the lines drawn by war and violence as well as humans and institutions,” Lim said. “I believe that this aligns with the values of the film festival, which is rooted in the spirit of communicating freely beyond discrimination, exclusion and hatred.”

During the festival period, a total of 140 films will be screened throughout Gyeonggi, which is one of the new initiatives of the festival starting this year. The films will not only be screened in theaters, including Megabox Kintex and Lotte Cinema Juyeop in Goyang, but also in other areas like the Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art in Ansan and the Nam June Paik Art Center in Yongin, along with an online screening on the festival's own streaming platform, docuVoDA.

“This year's film festival has chosen to focus on change and innovation,” festival director Chang Hae-rang said, aiming to increase the interaction and engagement between the audience and documentary content. “As a result, various transformation efforts have been made, such as shifting the film festival to a year-round system, creating a festival street and expanding the number of screening venues.”

Lawyer Lim Jae-sung, left, and actor Gong Min-jeung host the 16th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival's opening ceremony, held at the Imjingak Pyeonghwa-Nuri Open-air Stage on Thursday. [DMZ DOCS]

Indian filmmakers Nishtha Jain, right, and Akash Basumatari, the directors of the 16th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival's opening film "Farming the Revolution," attend its opening ceremony. [DMZ DOCS]

The 16th DMZ Docs’ opening film “Farming the Revolution,” directed by Indian filmmakers Nishtha Jain and Akash Basumatari, was screened after the ceremony. The film centers on one of India’s biggest protests held during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, as an endless number of farmers gathered in Delhi to oppose the newly enacted farm law.

“I’d like to say we are very moved that our film is opening the 16th DMZ festival,” Jain said during the ceremony, ahead of its screening. “This is even more special because this film cannot be shown as openly in India due to political censorship.”

The jury members of the festival also took the stage to share their criteria for judging the winners in the competition categories and to express what they are looking forward to in the films.

Singer Jung Dong-ha performs during the opening ceremony of the 16th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival held at the Imjingak Pyeonghwa-Nuri on Thursday. [DMZ DOCS]

Indian filmmaker Nishtha Jain, third from right, speaks about her film "Farming the Revolution" during the 16th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival.[DMZ DOCS]

“[We will look for] good films, daring films, exciting films [and] challenging films,” Barbara Wurm, one of the judges for the International Competition category, said.

Festival director Chang, marking his second year as its director, also expressed his hopes for what the festival can do.

“I questioned myself of what our film festival is meant to be, where it stands and what it should do,” Chang said, telling his story when he headed home at night the day before. “While I do believe that we have worked hard in preparing the festival, I reflected on whether we can truly alleviate even a little of the pain and tears, and whether we can make a small contribution toward overcoming the challenges of our time."

The 16th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival's opening ceremony is held at the Imjingak Pyeonghwa-Nuri Open-air Stage in Paju, Gyeonggi, on Thursday.[KIM JI-YE]

The Hill of Wind, which was next to the opening ceremony site of the 16th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival, held at the Imjingak Pyeonghwa-Nuri Open-air Stage in Paju, Gyeonggi, on Thursday. [KIM JI-YE]

The 16th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival director Chang Hae-rang, left, and deputy director Oh Jung-hoon pose for a photo during the festival's blue carpet event held before the main opening ceremony, held at the Imjingak Pyeonghwa-Nuri Open-air Stage in Paju, Gyeonggi, on Thursday. [DMZ DOCS]

Lawyer Lim Jae-sung, left, and actor Gong Min-jeung pose for a photo during the festival's blue carpet event held before the main opening ceremony, held at the Imjingak Pyeonghwa-Nuri Open-air Stage in Paju, Gyeonggi, on Thursday. [DMZ DOCS]

Ahead of the main ceremony, the directors and participants of the festival walked down the event's blue carpet, waving their hands to the visitors and posing for photos.

DMZ Docs, one of Korea’s largest documentary-focused events, will run through Oct. 2 with numerous programs prepared for visitors to experience, such as special exhibitions, concerts, master classes and talk sessions. One of the programs includes an exhibition dedicated to German director Heinz Emigholz, known for his extended filmography and drawings. The exhibition will feature 14 films, including his latest works, along with showcasing his drawings. The director will hold a master class where participants can learn the director's drawing techniques and stories.

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