Date:
Location:
Event Type:
http://www.biff.kr
Dates: October 6th (Thu) – 14th(Fri), 2011 (9 days)
Screening Films: around 300 from 70 countries
Program:
- Gala Presentation
- Window on Asian Cinema
- New Currents
- Korean Cinema Today
- Korean Cinema Retrospective
- World Cinema
- Wide Angle
- Open Cinema
- Flash Forward
- Special Programs
- Midnight Passion
- Film Search
Ticket Catalog (69MB .zip file , 85MB .pdf file )
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) |
Opening / Closing Ceremony & Screening Ticketing
General Screenings Ticketing(from 09:00 on Sep.28th, 2011)
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Via Internet
Via Busan BankBusan Bank Ticket counter
- 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)
- Special Program in Focus at the 16th Busan International Film Festival Special Focus on Australian Cinema
- Asian Film Market 2011 Online Screening System Opens Now!
- 2011 Flash Forward Selections Announced!
- KIM Kee-duk, On the Front Line of Korean Popular Genre Films
- Busan IFF's Special Focus on Yonfan: A Touch of Sensuality
- The 16th Busan International Film Festival Finalized Jury Members for the Wide Angle
- Tsui HARK is a Recipient of the 16th Busan International Film Festival ‘Asian Filmmaker of the Year’
- Extreme Portuguese Cinema: Six Auteurs in Focus
Opening Film Announced
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
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)
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
Koreaㅣ2011ㅣ110minㅣHDㅣcolor
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
Koreaㅣ2011ㅣ106minㅣHDㅣcolor
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
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