Marco Bellocchio. Just hearing his name makes my heart flutter, as scenes from his films come rushing back to me. How about you? Younger audiences might find him unfamiliar, but that’s okay.

I’m sure that after watching just one of the eight titles in ‘Marco Bellocchio, the filmmaker who never stopped raising his fist’, you’ll feel the same excitement I do.

With just three weeks away from the festival, looking back stirs a rush of emotions - from countless programmers’ meetings, and close discussions with Cinecittà, to a long wait for a positive reply… I still can’t forget that moment in Rome — when Director Bellocchio reached out to shake my hand, and I found myself unable to lift my head, bowed at a 90-degree angle, for a full five seconds. There were the hours spent rewatching his masterpieces, each time overwhelmed by renewed awe; the countless words that came and went as we searched for the perfect title for the retrospective; and the frantic pacing with colleagues when we couldn’t secure the right flight for him. Every step was challenging but I confess that each and every moment was filled with excitement and joy.

One of the legendary masters of European cinema, Marco Bellocchio has directed over 50 titles spanning six decades. This retrospective screening presents eight of his masterpieces, including his debut Fists in the Pocket (1965) and his most recent work, Portobello (2025). Bellocchio will engage in special conversations with audiences in few screenings, followed by a masterclass led by film critic Jung Sung-il. (Jung has confessed, “I never even dreamt of meeting Bellocchio in my life.")

Join us on this remarkable journey with Marco Bellocchio – forever young, a cine-artist of resistance and the master of cinema.

Fists in the Pocket (1965)

Devil in the Flesh (1986)

Vincere (2009)

Exterior Night (2022)

‘Juliette Binoche, Between Motion and Emotion’ spotlights the artistry of Juliette Binoche, one of the defining actors and creators of our time.

Her soul-piercing gaze, the waves of emotions embodied in every gesture, and distinctive performances that transform the pain of life into art have been inscribed into the history of world cinema over the past decades. Also, Una Beck, an actorologist of ‘Una Labo Actorology’ will lead her masterclass.

Three Colours: Blue (1993)

(Director: Krzysztof KIESLOWSKI)

The film traces a woman’s journey to restore freedom and serenity after the loss of her family. Binoche captivates audiences with her restrained performance and profound inner resonance.

We are excited to bring various works from Europe and Africa once again.

This year, directors and actors who are eager to connect with audiences visit Busan more than ever before. To help cinephiles navigate the line-up, we’ve categorized the tiles under subsections.

We have categorized films under subtopics to help cinephiles easily select their preferred films. While I can’t introduce every film in detail here, you can find more information on our official website and catalogs. With just weeks to go, I’m counting down the days until audiences and cine-artists finally come together through films.  

That’s all for now – see you soon.

A Year of School by Laura SAMANI

My Father’s Shadow

by Akinola DAVIES Jr.

Her Will Be Done by Julia KOWALSKI

Reedland by Sven BRESSER

I Only Rest in the Storm by Pedro PINHO

Meteors by Hubert CHARUEL

Alpha by Julia DUCOURNAU

Nouvelle Vague by Richard LINKLATER

Romeria by Carla SIMÓN

Sirât by Oliver LAXE

Enzo by Robin CAMPILLO

The Lovers on the Bridge by Leos CARAX

The Little Sister by Hafsia HERZI

Eagles of the Republic by Tarik SALEH

Sound of Falling by Mascha SCHILINSKI

Silent Friend by Ildikó ENYEDI

No Beast. So Fierce by Burhan QURBANI

The Love That Remains

by Hlynur PÁLMASON

Sweetheart by Margherita SPAMPINATO

Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk

by Sepideh FARSI