2011 Busan International Film Festival (BIFF 2011)

Date: 

Thursday, October 6, 2011 - 15:00

Location: 

Event Type: 

http://www.biff.kr
Dates
: October 6th (Thu) – 14th(Fri), 2011 (9 days)
Screening Films: around 300 from 70 countries


Program: 

Ticket Catalog (69MB .zip file , 85MB .pdf file )


 

 
Screening Venues

Busan Cinema Center (BIFF Theater, Haneulyeon Theater,Cinema1,Cinema2, Cinematheque)

CGV Centum City (1~7, Starium, Cine de chef A~B)

Lotte Cinema Centum City (Charlotte,2~10)

Megabox Haeundae (1~10)

Community Media Center Busan (Community Media Center)

Venue Maps

 

 
Ticket advance sale

Opening / Closing Ceremony & Screening Ticketing

  • How to purchase : Internet purchase only
  • Period: from 17:00 on Sep. 26th, 2011
  • How to : Visit and Register Daum website.
  • (For the non-residence, verification process by name, e-mail address and passport number)

General Screenings Ticketing(from 09:00 on Sep.28th, 2011)

PLACEPLACEPERIODHOURS OF OPERATION
InternetWherever place accessible2011. 9. 28~10. 13
(starting on sep.29 for
Smartphone user)
24 Hours
(from 09:00 on Sep.28)
Smartphone
(Mobile web)
Busan BankAll Busan Bank branches2011. 9. 28~10. 1309:00~16:00
All Busan Bank ATM
Phone Banking
24Hours 
(from 9:00 on Sep.29)
Temporary Box officeBusan Cinema Center 
- Walk-In purchase
- Cancel and refund 
- Pick-up Only
2011. 10. 6~10. 1415:00~20:00(Oct.6,14)
08:30~24:00(Oct.7~11)
08:30~21:00(Oct.12~13)
Shinsegae Department Store 
(In front of Main Gate) 
- Walk-In purchase 
- Cancel and refund
2011. 10. 7~10. 1308:30~21:00
CGV Centum City 
- Pick-up Only
Lotte Cinema Centum City 
- Pick-up Only
Underground Floor of Sfunz
- Walk-In purchase 
- Cancel and refund
Megabox Haeundae(6F)
- Pick-up Only
 

 

how to purchase ticket

Via Internet

  • How to: www.daum.net
    (For the non-residence, verification process by name, e-mail address and passport number.)
  • Payment: Credit card

Via Busan Bank

Busan Bank Ticket counter
  • Reservation and issuance are available at all Busan Bank branches.
  • Payment: Cash only
* Korean Air Promotion(₩2000 discount) 
- Bring the boarding pass between Gimpo & Busan(Oct 1~15) by Korean Air at the temporary Box Office. (Using one time, a ticket per capita)

 Recent News (more BIFF news here)


Opening Film Announced

오직 그대만

Director Song Il-gon
Korea| 2011 | Running time not yet decided | DCP | Color
A fatal love story centered on ex-boxer Chul-min(So Ji-sub) and telephone operator Jung-hwa(Han Hyo-joo).He has closed his heart to the world and she remains spirited despite slowly losing her vision. Eliminating the so-called silent style of long shots and long takes and appealing to soul and spirit, this could be deemed Song Il-gon's declaration of transformation from an auteur director to a popular director.

Those who were mesmerized by Song's [Flower Island] and [Magician] may be somewhat disappointed. As suggested by the trite title, the movie is full of old clichés. But what makes it extraordinary despite its cliches is the director's characteristic unconventional directing style and dramatic twists in detail that reveals moderation and omission.

[Always] takes small steps towards the climax without excessive use of words and action. Chul-min's climactic scene trumps the explosiveness of [Rough Cut]. The director also adds class to the film through the remarkable visuals and sound design, sensuous but not superficial. As a result, this film is distinct from overwhelmingly common melodramas and successfully emerges as an'uncommon common'drama. So Ji-sub and Han Hyo-joo are perfect in their roles. The commercial expression as' So-joo couple' is no exaggeration 

Chronicle of My Mother

 

DIRECTOR: HARADA Masato
NATION: Japan
YEAR: 2011
TIME: 119min
 
Based on Japanese writer Yasushi Inoue’s autobiographical novel, this moving film is directed by Harada Masato, an acclaimed director with a style peculiar to himself and a diverse career ranging from actor to director to film critic. The film stars some of Japan’s finest actors, including Yakusho Koji, Kiki Kirin and Miyazaki Aoi, and took 10 years to complete.
 
Writer Kosaku Igami is successful, wealthy and famous; a strict but loving father and husband. Following the death of his own father, Kosaku’s mother begins to suffer from dementia. For years, he has resented the fact that his mother sent him to live with his grandfather’s mistress when he was a child. On discovering that she still keeps a poem he wrote when he was young, the reason for sending him away becomes clear too, and his long-standing emotional wounds begin to heal. As she loses her memories, Kosaku recalls his childhood, slowly beginning to understand how much she truly loves him.
This film is about a mother’s unconditional love for her son, as well as the value of memories. The young Kosaku in the prologue’s separation sequence takes on a completely new meaning when his mother’s real love is revealed in the latter half of the film. Harada cleverly immerses the audience in his exploration of the depth of a mother’s love: not obvious
on the surface but appearing slowly, like waves and undercurrents.(KIM Ji-seok)
director
Director
HARADA Masato
A critic, director, and occasional actor, Harada Masato was born in Numazu, Japan, and is best known to international audiences as Omura in Edward Zwick’s [The Last Samurai] (2003). His filmography includes [Gunhed](1988), [Kamikaze Taxi] (1995), [Bounce Ko Gals](1997), [Spellbound](1999), [Inugami](2001), [Densen Uta](2007), and [The Climbers High] (2008).

13 Films Selected for New Currents Section for the 16th Busan International Film Festival

The 16th Busan International Film Festival (from October 6th to October 14th) announces the 13 films selected for the Competition Section, the New Currents.

 

The Busan International Film Festival has established and re-established itself as the place to discover new Asian talents for the past 15 years. Since the introduction of the New Currents section, numerous directors have been active in producing cinematic works that would clearly imprint their names in the global film industry. Once again this year, New Currents showcases works of rising new directors who will surely take the leads in the Asian and global film industries in the future. 13 films from 12 countries across the region display refreshing and amazing aesthetics dealing with a variety of topics. In particular, close attention should be paid to Southeast Asia, for it has produced outstanding works this year.

 

The themes for New Currents section this year are “Homecoming”, “Alienation”, “Family” and “Growing”. The works of young talented directors that illustrate the brilliant, refreshing and interesting interpretations of these themes are selected.

 

As for the “Homecoming” theme, the incidents such as reassembling of a broken family and returning to one’s hometown, are depicted and expressed realistically. Through a tragedy stemmed from alienation within a group, and disharmonious conflict between a son and his parents, the “Alienation” theme is portrayed in refreshing and simple perspective, effectively conveying the message. As for the conservative themes of “Family” and “Growing”, directors have newly interpreted and assigned new meanings by including the stories about destruction of a family, family breakups and the challenges related to love and sacrifices, opening windows to various familial topics.

 

 

 

Hence, New Currents will offer a rich and varied pool of debut works created by promising Asian artists. Also, the works of the New Currents of the 2011 Busan International Film Festival will indicate the beginning of the new era of Asian films.

 

 

Selected New Currents                                                                                    
 

 

August Drizzle

Director Aruna JAYAWARDANA

Sri Lanka | 2011 | 108min | 35mm | color

World Premiere

 

In a drought-plagued Sri Lankan village, a woman undertaker and an epileptic architect, bound by their “otherness,” join forces to build the crematorium she believes will bring her the respect she is denied. This is a film about the human condition created by expectations, life and death.

 

Director Aruna JAYAWARDANA

A native of Sri Lanka, Aruna Jayawardana is a University of Kelaniya graduate, and is a writer and producer of extensive television drama, music video, and documentary credits. He completed a cinematography program with the National Film Corporation and later wrote the script for the country’s 2009 box office champ, Dancing Star. August Drizzle is his feature directorial debut.

 

 

Choked

Korea2011110minHDcolor

Director KIM Joong-hyun

World Premiere

 

In a melancholy but unsentimental portrait of family breakdown, a young man deals with the pain of his family’s disintegration at his mother’s hands. Choked is also the story of teenaged obligations, made all the more vivid by its naturalistic performances and masterful direction.

 

Director KIM Joong-hyun

Kim Joong-hyun was born in Seoul and graduated from the Seoul Institute of the Arts’ film department, later, studying and directing at Korea Academy of Film Arts. He worked as an assistant to Kim Tae-yong onFamily Ties while making his own shorts. His filmography includes the documentary Mangwon-dong Sicheob(2008). Choked is his feature debut.

 

 

Damn Life

Director KITAGAWA Hitoshi

Japan | 2011 | 84min | 35mm | color

International Premiere

 

The indiscretions of the past haunt two alienated office workers in Damn Life. Following the death of a co-worker, compulsively dutiful Kotani’s childhood trauma and Imasawa’s emotional disconnection are the keys that lead the duo to a chilling final act.

 

Director KITAGAWA Hitoshi

A native of Tokyo, director and independent film producer Hitoshi Kitagawa is a graduate of Keio University, where he studied literature. While studying, he began making films within the theater department and started his career directing videos for the Tokyo Theatre Company. His filmography includes the short video Post Girl (2010).

 

 

Here….or There?

Director Siu PHAM

Vietnam / Switzerland | 2011 | 91min | HD | color

World Premiere

 

A retired European man and his Vietnamese wife living in a peaceful fishing village are separated by a tragedy at sea. The man’s disappearance troubles his wife, but it also leads to a dream-like exploration of sexuality, desire, and the ghosts of our lives.

 

Director Siu PHAM

Siu Pham was born in Hanoi, raised in Geneva and now lives in Ho Chi Minh City. A student of philosophy, art, and theater, Pham works in a variety of media, and her photographic work has exhibited in Paris and Washington. Her documentary shorts include Saigon’s Blues and A Script in Udaipur. Here or… There?  is her first feature.

 

 

I Carried You Home

Director Tongpong CHANTARANGKUL

Thailand / Singapore | 2011 | 100min | HD | color

World Premiere

* 2008 ACF Script Development Fund Project

* 2011 ACF Post-Production Fund Project

 

Pann and Pinn are sisters living in the wake of their mother’s death at the core of this time-shifting road trip drama. Despite communication difficulties from years apart, the women slowly reconnect as they ponder about loneliness, abandonment, and the secret that tore them apart.

 

Director Tongpong CHANTARANGKUL

A graduate of Rangsit University, Bangkok-born Tongpong Chantarangkul began his film career at the prominent Thai post house Soho Asia. After two years as a colorist, he earned a Master’s Degree from the London Film School, and his graduation film, Wings of Blue Angels, generated plaudits around the globe. I Carried You Home is his first feature film, which received the support from Busan’s Asian Cinema Fund (ACF) both in Script Development Fund (2008) and in Post-Production Fund (2011).

 

 

Lost in the Mountain

Director GAO Zipeng

China | 2011 | 95min | HD | color

World Premiere

 

How does the disappearance of a friend affect those who remain? Will there be anyone to remember him? Those are the main questions addressed in Lost in Mountain, when Da Ta is among the climbers searching for the missing Bielei on Tie Tuo Mountain.

 

Director Gao Zipeng

Gao Zipeng hails from the PRC and is a graduate of the Beijing Broadcasting Academy. He began working on television with CCTV, before making documentary films full time. His filmography includes documentaries Reserved Fellowship (2003), Ubu’s Party (2007), and the short Rust (2008). Gao is currently in production on Shanghai Youths. Lost in the Mountain is his feature debut.

 

 

The Mirror Never Lies

Director Kamila ANDINI

Indonesia | 2011 | 100min | 35mm | color

World Premiere

 

Twelve-year-old Pakis believes that a mirror, which her father left her before his death at sea, always shows her the truth. Though too young to understand reality, Pakis does understand that the sea is a source of comfort. This film is a beautiful story about hope and loss.

 

Director Kamila ANDINI

Kamila Andini was born in Jakarta and was educated at Melbourne’s Deakin University where she studied media arts and sociology. She started out as a documentarist,directed series television, as well as several music videos. Her filmography includes A Song for Tukik (2010). Mirror Never Lies is her first feature.

 

 

Mourning

Director Morteza FARSHBAF

Iran | 2011 | 84min | 35mm | color

World Premiere

 

A deaf couple travels to Teheran to reunite their nephew with his parents after a ferocious argument and discovers there has been a horrific accident and must shield the boy from the truth. Mourning is a mysterious catalogue of events unfolding over a long emotional journey.

 

Director Morteza FARSHBAF

Writer, editor and cinematographer Morteza Farshbaf hails from Iran and holds a BFA in cinema from the University of Art in Tehran. He has also workshopped with renowned filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami. His short films include Halloween (2004), The Carpet (2005), Taxi (2006), Flakey (2007), and The Wind Blows Wherever it Wants (2008). Mourning is his feature directorial debut.

 

 

Niño

Director Loy ACRENAS

Philippines | 2011 | 100min | 35mm | color

International Premiere

 

Elderly patriarch and music lover Gaspar, his dependent opera singer sister Celia, and conniving daughter Raquel are at the core of the drama of tangled family relationships linked by greed. The only beauty that remains is the music that lingers amid the raging dispute.

 

Director Loy ACRENAS

Writer-director Loy Arcenas was born in the Philippines and is currently based in New York. He is an Obie-winning production designer and theater director and his career has included extensive work on and off Broadway, with the acclaimed Ma-Yi Theater Company, and he is a Gawad Buhay-nominated director at home. Nino is his feature filmmaking debut.

 

 

The Passion of a Man Called Choe Che-u

Director Stanley PARK

Korea2011106minHDcolor

World Premiere

 

Choe Che-u’s mortality is the subject of Stanley Park’s historical drama about maintaining faith despite the resulting alienation. Using still frames and delicate sound effects, first-time filmmaker Park crafts an internal dialogue that asks viewers fundamental questions about art and life.

 

 

Director STANLEY PARK

Stanley Park is a film columnist whose short film Dacapo was screened at the Pucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in 2000. Between 2009 and 2010, he authored a classic film column collection. The Passion of a Man Called Choe Che-u is his feature directorial debut.

 

 

Return to Burma

Director Midi Z

Taiwan / Myanmar | 2011 | 84mm | HD | color

World Premiere

 

A Burmese-Chinese director living in Taiwan reports on life in contemporary Myanmar. Expatriate Xin Hong returns to Burma to explore how his homeland has changed. Though the country seemed much different on the surface, Xin Hong soon discovers that the country he left is fundamentally the same—familiar and reflecting hopelessness.

 

Director Midi Z

Born in Burma and educated at the National Taiwan Institute of Technology, Midi Z had a varied work history prior to having his graduation short, Paloma Blanca, screened at several international film festivals. His other shorts include Motorcycle Driver (2008) and Hua-Xing Incident (2009), which was produced by Hou Hsiao-hsien. Return to Burma is his first feature.

 

 

Starry Starry Night

Director  Tom Shu-yu LIN

Taiwan / China | 2011 | 120min | 35mm | color

World Premiere

* 2010 Asian Project Market (formerly PPP) Project

* 2011 ACF Post-Production Fund Project

 

Twelve-year-old Mei meets transfer student Lee, a seemingly innocent moment that becomes a watershed for the isolated pair. Deciding to run away from home to fulfill their young lives, Mei and Lee’s admissions and confessions strengthen their bond as the starry trek becomes more perilous.

 

Director  Tom Shu-yu LIN

Born in Taiwan, and raised in Minnesota, Tom Shu-yu Lin was awarded a Master’s Degree by the California Institute for the Arts and has worked as the first assistant director for Taiwanese master Tsai Ming-liang The Wayward Cloud and Doze Niu Monga among others. His directorial credits include the short film The Pain of Others(2005) and Winds of September(2008). Starry Starry Night won the CJ Entertainment Award at 2010 Asian Project Market(APM) and received the post-production support from Asian Cinema Fund (ACF) in 2011.

 

 

Watch Indian Circus

Director Mangesh HADAWALE

India | 2011 | 100min | 35mm | color

World Premiere

 

Kajaro’s quest to take her children to the circus unfolds alongside an election defined by empty promises. Kajaro manages to buy circus tickets, but not for everyone and difficult choices must be made. This is a film about maternal devotion despite harsh reality of poverty.

 

Director Mangesh HADAWALE

Writer and director Mangesh Hadawale was born in Pune, India, and completed studies in

theater at the Centre for Performing Arts, University of Pune. He was launched 

 


The 16th Busan International Film Festival Announces the Recipient of the ‘Korean Cinema Award’

Former program director of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Julietta SICHEL is selected for the 2011 Korean Cinema Award. The Korean Cinema Award is annually bestowed to filmmakers who contribute to the advancement of Korean films in the international film industry.

In 1995, Julietta SICHEL joined the programming team of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. From 2005 until 2010 Julietta SICHEL was the Festival’s Program Director and represented the Karlovy Vary IFF at diverse international film festivals. SICHEL is an eminent Czech critic, consistently working as a member of the FIPRESCI: Fédération Internationale de la Presse Cinématographique. Also, she was a member of several international juries and curated numerous film retrospectives and special focuses.

 
As she bridged the Korean and the Eastern European film industry, she worked on bringing Korean films to the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2001. She introduced many Korean films including ChunHyang (1999) by IM Kwon-teak, Joint Security Area (2000) by PARK Chan-wook, A Higher Animal (2000) by BONG Jun-ho to the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. In 2002, she curated for a special focus on director KIM Kee-duk and has introduced many of his films including, The Isle (2000), Blue Door (1998), Bad Guy (2001), and Address Unknown (2001).

 
Julietta SICHEL is known as the key person who has provided the opportunity to disseminate the talent and culture of Korean films to various Eastern European countries such as the Czech Republic. In January 2010, she founded an independent production company, ‘8Heads Productions’. SICHEL and the company is currently finalizing the financing of the second feature by talented director, Marta Nováková entitled 8 Heads of Madness.



The 16th Busan International Film Festival selected Tsui HARK as the ‘Asian Filmmaker of the Year.’ The award has been presented annually since the 8th Busan International Film Festival in 2003, to Asian Filmmakers who contribute to the advancement of Asian cinema. Representative Asian filmmakers who have previously received this honor include Iran’s Mohsen MAKHMALBAF, Taiwan’s Hou HSIAO-HSIEN, and Hong Kong’s Andy LAU.

 

For more than 30 years, Tsui HARK established Hong Kong film in the global market and rewrote the history of Hong Kong films. The French Film Magazine, ‘Les Cahiers du Cinema’ called him a Cineaste, who changed the face of cinema. Hark is a versatile producer and a director who pioneered the Hong Kong New Wave in the 80s. Hark transcended times and genre to break new ground in Hong Kong cinema. He came into the spotlight with Warriors From The Magic Mountain (1982/ producer), which opened new SFX (special effects) era in Hong Kong (cinema). Hark produced A Better Tomorrow (1986/producer), and The Killer (1989/producer) which is regarded as the representative film of Hong Kong noir. In addition, his Chinese Ghost story established a new chapter in martial arts horror films. Last but not least, Hark directed and produced, Once Upon A Time In China (1991/ Director/producer) which made numerous series. He is widely acknowledged for his contributions during the Golden Age of Hong Kong Cinema.

In 2011, his passion for film carried into 3D films. His first 3D production, and the sequel of Dragon Inn (1992/director: Raymond Lee), The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate will premiere in December. The film will mark a new epoch in Hong Kong martial arts films.

 

For more than 30 years’ he has had extensive influence on the development of Asian cinema as a producer and a director. To celebrate his career and to pay homage to his world acclaimed creativity, 16th Busan International Film Festival will proudly present ‘The Asian Filmmaker of the Year’ to Tsui HARK

 

Biography of Tsui HARK

Tsui Hark was born in Saigon, Vietnam in 1950 and moved to Hong Kong when he was 13 with his family. Hark started studying film in the United States and in 1977, he returned to Hong Kong and had his debut with the unusual murder thriller, The Butterfly Murders (1979/director). Hark opened SFX age with Warriors From The Magic Mountain (1983/Producer) Then, he and his wife, Nansun Shi, founded Film Workshop, which produced numerous box office hits. As a forerunner of Golden age of Hong Kong Cinema, Hark went to the United States and made action films and in 2000 returned to Hong Kong to continue to flourish as a producer and a director.