[BIFF Press Release] Busan International Film Festival (21)_(2020.10.20)
Master Filmmakers Send Messages of Support
to the Busan International Film Festival and Asian Filmmakers
The
25th Busan International Film Festival unveils messages of support by Asian
filmmakers and master filmmakers.
The
film industry worldwide was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many international
film festivals are canceled, and most films have halted their productions. Even
films already finished are struggling to find screening opportunities. With the
Busan International Film Festival, renowned Asian directors and actors have
stepped up as Asian Film Ambassadors and sent messages for young Asian
filmmakers who have kept up their passion for cinema under these difficult
circumstances.
Nine Asian Master Filmmakers as
Mentors!
Korean directors Lee
Chang-dong and Park Chan-wook; Japanese directors Kurosawa Kiyoshi, Koreeda
Hirokazu, and Kawase Naomi; Chinese director Jia Zhang-Ke and actress Zhao Tao;
and Taiwanese director Tsai Ming-Liang and actor Lee Kang-Sheng sent messages
to young Asian filmmakers as Asian Film Ambassadors.
“Filmmakers should stand in solidarity and share courage with
one another.”(Lee Chang-dong),
“Even a pandemic cannot stop our passion for communicating
through cinema.”(Jia Zhang-Ke),
“Filmmaking itself is always difficult and full of adventures.”(Tsai Ming-Liang),
“The history of film has always been one of overcoming huge
challenges and obstacles.”(Park Chan-wook),
“I strongly believe that films made under these difficult
circumstances are masterpieces.”(Kurosawa Kiyoshi),
“I do not believe we will stay disconnected like this. We
will be reconnected in any shape or form.”(Koreeda Hirokazu),
“Please keep making films so that we make a world with many
brilliant points of view.”(Kawase Naomi),
“Embrace cinema, embrace the screen, and embrace audiences.”(Zhao Tao),
“Continue to work towards your goals and dreams.”(Lee Kang-Sheng)
The messages contain
determination and hope for overcoming these difficult times. The video messages
are available from October 20th (Tue) on the Busan International Film
Festival’s official YouTube channel (http://youtube.com/busanfilmfest). The videos are sponsored
by Genesis, who supports filmmakers.
Messages of Support from All over the World!
The directors and
programmers from the three major film festivals—Cannes, Berlin, and Venice—sent
their support for filmmakers and the Busan International Film Festival, which
is held on-site.
Thierry Frémaux, the
General Delegate of the Cannes Film Festival, showed special fondness towards
the Busan International Film Festival: “In its 25th year, the Busan
International Film Festival plays an important role in Korea, a blessed land of
cinema.”
Including Carlo Chatrian,
the Artistic Director of the Berlin International Film Festival, who commented,
“I will miss your beautiful town, the talking with the filmmakers, [and] the
thrill of watching films along with local audiences”; Christian Jeune, Director
of Film Department and Deputy General Delegate of the Cannes Film Festival;
Alberto Barbera, Director of the Venice International Film Festival; and Serge
Toubiana, the President of Unifrance, expressed their regret at not being able
to be together this year and promised for next year.
Director Bong Joon-ho who
has not made official appearances in awhile since the Academy Awards earlier
this year, also sent his message of support and congratulations for the
festival: “I am especially proud of this year’s Busan International Film
Festival for coming to audiences without change.”
The Busan International
Film Festival is first revealing video messages from directors Bong Joon-ho,
Koreeda Hirokazu, and Lee Chang-dong. The rest of the videos will be released
sequentially on the Busan International Film Festival’s official YouTube
channel.
The
25th Busan International Film Festival, which screens all its 192
selections in theaters, opens on October 21st (Wed) and is held for
ten days until the 30th (Fri) at the Busan Cinema Center.