14th Pusan International Film Festival 제14회 부산국제영&#

Woundedheart · October 8, 2009

Official Website

http://www.piff.org/eng/index.asp

opening

Good Morning President

Country: Korea 2009

closing

The Message

Country: China

Gala Presentation - Official Selection List

A Little Pond

Director : Lee Sang Woo Country : Korea

Chengdu, I Love You

Director : Fruit Chan, Cui Jian Country : China

I Am Love

Director :luca Guadagninc Country : Italy

I Come with the Rain

Director : Tran Ang Hung Country : France/US

In My End is My Beginning

Director : MIN Kyu-dong Country : Korea

Symbol

Director : Matsumoto Htoshi Country : Japan

The fair love

Director : Shin Yeong Shick Country : Korea

Panorama - Introduction

'Korean Cinema Today' is divided into two sub-sections, 'Panorama' and 'Vision'. 'Panorama' section will introduce seven Korean films including 'Cafe Noir', the directorial debut of film critic Jung Sung-il, a recent work by Kwon Chil In who examines the matter of love and labor, and other noteworthy works of Lim Woo-Seong, Park Chur-woong, Choi Jin Ho, Ju Jihong.

Furthermore, among the films released already, a newly re-edited version of 'Thirst' by Park Chan-wook will be screened along with other essential Korean films.

Panorama - Official Selection List

Café noir

Director : Jung Sul Il Year : 2009 Country : Korea

Young-soo's pining for a married woman reminds us of [The Sorrows of Young Werther]. Lost in his despair, he is wandering around Cheong Gye Cheon in Seoul, where he meets Sun-hwa, who is also despairing for love. Elsewhere, Mee-yeon suffers agony from loving Young-soo.Through them and other lovers, the story provides its own interpretation of the popular view about love and suffering

Castaway on the moon

Director : LEE Hey-jun Year : 2009 Country : Korea

Here are two islands. On Bam Island located on the Han River lives Mr. Kim, a suicide attemptercastaway. On the other island is Ms. Kim's home. She casts herself adrift for some reason. One day, she discovers the castaway. She puts a message into an empty wine bottle, letting him know she exists. Mr. Kim, in turn, changes 'HELP', which he himself wrote in the sand, to 'HELLO' so that she will know he got the message. They begin to convey warm regards, making slow progress towards each other. Now, their longing for each other grows desperate. Perhaps, the two Kims have no one who shows any interest in them

Haeundae

Director : JK YOUN Year : 2009 Korea

The way in which [Haeundae] develops its plot can be considered a Koreanized transformation of Hollywood romantic narratives in the pre and post 1950's. Man-sik and Yeon-hee see-saw, while being unsure as to whether they can be a couple who overcomes past wounds. Dr. Kim, who cautions against a possible mega-tsunami at Haeundae, collapses in an agony springing from an unexpected turn-up of his daughter and divorced wife. Hyoung-sik, after rescuing a woman from Seoul, rides out a ferocious storm to gladden her heart.

Like you know it all

Director : HONG Sangsoo Year : 2009 Korea

Invited to serve on the jury at a film festival, Director Ku does not care about his supposed-to-dos. Rather, chatting at parties and drinking now seem to be his all time favorites. Ku runs into an old friend who insists he come over for dinner. Ku stays the night at his friend's house. Yet, the next day, Ku finds himself in trouble with an alleged accusation of seducing his friend's wife. Later, Ku travels to Jeju Island to give a lecture. He hooks up with a painter for another long night of drinking. The day after, Ku is invited to the painter's where he happens to see his ex-girlfriend.

Loveholic World Premiere

Director : KWON Chil In Year : 2009 Country : Korea

This is director Kwon Chil In's fourth feature film, which deals with the struggle between work and love. At the fore, we see a married couple. One of the wife's girlfriends unexpectedly starts living with them, and the wife makes love with her husband's colleague. Kwon Chil In again presents us with a story about people's conflict and their choices. Love often makes them drunken, but reality is harsh

Maybe World Premiere

Director : JU Jihong Year : 2009 Country : Korea

This film is a story of May and En-seol. May returns to Seoul looking for her birth mother after 23 years of life as a Korean-American adoptee. En-seol is a taxi driver suffering from a rare cardiac disease. Following their chance encounter at the airport, they come to help each other, also by chance. The film depicts the chronologies in which the past and wounds of those unsociable become revealed. May bears a long-standing grudge against the absence of her parents to whom her anger should be directed. En-seol bears intense pain from his unpredictable death. They dream of a 'rabbit' named hope.

Mother

Director : BONG Joon-ho Year : 2009 Korea

A mother lives quietly with her twenty-eight-year-old son, Do-joon, providing herbs and acupuncture to neighbors. One day, a girl is brutally murdered, and Do-joon is charged with the killing. Now, it's his mother's call whether to prove him innocent or to leave him imprisoned.

There are two murderers in [Mother]: One is Do-joon who commit killing by mistake, and the other one is his mother who did murder to save her son. How did this mother and son become murderers? In this respect, it is of much importance to draw particular attention to a scene in which the mother, in defiance of police warnings, is on her way to see a guy with Down Syndrome. She asks him, "Don't you have a mom?" In the film, death is inextricably linked to the mother. The mother is the guardian, and her absence soon approaches as death. The mother's typological peculiarity deeply rooted in Korean society is startling. (LEE Sang-yong)

Running Turtle

Director : LEE Yeon-woo Year : 2009 Korea

Jo Pil-seong, a rural detective, is an unrecognized husband, often blamed by his older wife for gambling. Despite her being hard on him, he steals money from her to bet on bull butting. Fortunately, he chalks up an unexpected win, but his luck, by no means, lasts long because his money gets snatched by an unprecedented absconder, Song Gi-tae. As Pil-seong's colleagues don't believe that he encountered the legendary prison breaker, he determines to give a chase. The chase grows condensed into a heated confrontation with their egos at stake.

The Executioner World Premiere

Director : CHOI Jin Ho Year : 2009 Korea

That human nature becoming seriously violent within the system of the death penalty and a jail is what this film serenely gazes into. An execution scheduled to be carried out in 12 years creates a hostile and stifling atmosphere among guards. This has profound effects on the dehumanization of Jae-kyoung, a young, newly appointed guard who nonetheless happens to find that a coldbloodeded colleague of his, Jong-ho, has some humane traits.

Thirst World Premiere

Director : Park Chang Wook Year : 2009 Korea

Sang-hyun, a priest working for a hospital, selflessly volunteers for a secret vaccine development project intended to eradicate a deadly virus. However, the virus eventually takes the priest. He nearly dies, but makes a miraculous recovery by an accidental transfusion of vampire blood. He realizes his sole raison d'etre: the pleasures of the flesh.

Tokyo Taxi World Premiere

Director : KIM Tai-sik Year : 2009 Korea/Japan

Ryo, the lead singer of a band scheduled to perform in Seoul, is terrified of airplanes. So after sending the rest of the band off, he decides to take a taxi from Tokyo to Seoul. The road to Seoul is a non-stop series of surprises; When his Japanese taxi arrives in Busan, the local taxi drivers are surprised and try to race them; they get swept into the middle of training for the reserve forces; also meet strange people along the way. Ryo finally arrives in Seoul only to find that the concert had been canceled and his colleagues had already returned to Japan. His taxi gone, how will Ryo return home?

Vegetarian

Director : Lim Woo Seong Year : 2009 Korea

Based on Han-gang's famous short story, [Mongolian Spot], about an artist who falls for his vegetarian sister-in-law. He paints her body and feels the desire to take her. [Vegetarian] is a film that unites desire with art by adapting a short story into the screen and portraying the main character's artistic behaviors.

Where Are You Going

Director : Park Chur-Woong Year : 2008 Korea

E-nam, Sam-nam, and Cho-rong live with their father in a slum that is soon to be demolished. The oldest son Il-nam is paid off by the gang that wants to develop the area and tries to convince his father to leave, but his father looks at him suspiciously. Misunderstanding causes tension in the village and the people all become suspicious of one another.

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10-07-2009

Stars Fall Upon Haeundae for Busan Film Festival

By Lee Hyo-won

Staff Reporter

The red carpet is ready to be unrolled for the opening tonight of the 14th Pusan (Busan) International Film Festival (PIFF).

Haeundae Beach in the southern port city will sizzle with the longest ever lineup of 355 films from 70 countries and a VIP guest list featuring more than the usual number of high profile stars and cineastes from near and far.

Fans are invited to take part in not only star-studded screenings and events but also concerts, exhibitions and other eye-catching sideline events.

Star-Gazing

The opening ceremony takes place at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Suyoung Bay Yacht Marina. The 1970s screen siren Jang Mi-hee and ``The Chaser'' star Kim Yoon-suk will host the event, while top South Korean actors plan to grace the red carpet. The list includes heartthrobs Jang Dong-kun and Lee Byung-hun, and actresses Jeon Do-yeon, Uhm Jung-hwa, Um Ji-won, Ha Ji-won, Kim Ha-neul and Kim Hyo-jin, among others.

Before the ceremony, actors Lee Soon-jae, Jang Dong-kun, Go Doo-shim and Han Chae-young, and director Jang Jin will appear before the press for their movie ``Good Morning President,'' which opens the festival this year.

On Friday at 1 p.m., actors Lee Byung-hun, Josh Hartnett and Takuya Kimura will meet fans through the Open Talk event at PIFF Village, Haeundae. The three actors from Korea, the United States and Japan, respectively, are expected to create much hype as they discuss their movie ``I Come With the Rain.''

Popular actor Jung Woo-sung and Chinese model/actress Gao Yuan-yuan will also host an Open Talk session on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. for ``A Good Rain Knows'' by Hur Jin-ho. ``It'' actor Ha Jung-woo will also take the stage for ``Take-Off,'' while singer-turned-actress Sung Yu-ri will speak about her big screen debut piece ``Maybe'' with co-star Jang Hyuk. Actors Lee Sun-kyun will also make an appearance before fans for the film ``Paju.''

Conversing With Maestros

Movie buffs can look forward to meeting esteemed filmmakers through master classes: Costa Gavras, the master of French political films; Dario Argento, who defines the Italian horror genre; Johnnie To, a leader of Hong Kong noir films; and Jia Zhangke, the director of experimental Chinese digital works. The directors will discuss their life in the film industry and their work. Each master class is 5,000 won.

Meanwhile, Jean-Jacques Beineix, the French auteur best known for ``Betty Blue,'' will visit the festival as a jury member of the New Currents competition section. His film ``Diva'' will also be featured on the big screen for the first time in 30 years.

Attendees can also look forward to seeing ``I Come With the Rain'' director Tran Anh Hung, who will appear before fans with his wife, actress Tran Nu Yen Khe. Korean filmmakers Bong Joon-ho, Hur Jin-ho and Park Chan-ok will also converse with fans.

Special Events

In Cinema Together events, cineastes, musicians and critics will watch movies and mingle with the audience. The events will feature multiple award-winning ``Breathless'' director/actor Yang Ik-june and actress Kim Kkobbi.

Participants can also attend live concerts featuring top domestic talent including Lee Seung-chul, Drunken Tiger and Big Bang. There will also be an exhibition featuring famous French movie posters and related items.

Meanwhile, screen personalities Ahn Sung-ki and Park Joong-hoon will promote an anti-piracy campaign Friday at 4 p.m. at the outdoor stage of the PIFF Pavilion.

For more information visit www.piff.org (English and Korean).

hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

Woundedheart · October 8, 2009

Good Morning President

World Premiere

Theater Busan Yatching Center Outdoor Oct 8 19:30

MegaBox Haeundae Oct9 13:30

Good Morning President is an abridged version of the politics and life of three different presidents. The three are: the older President Kim Jung-ho at the end of his term, the young President Cha Ji-wook, a skillful manipulator of foreign policy and with great determination, and a female President Han Kyuong-ja. They are distressed over the choices they have to make between politics and ethics. The affliction of Kim Jung-ho who wins the lottery, the agony of Cha Ji-wook who donates an organ, and the troubles of Han Kyuong-ja who faces the crisis of divorce brings out Jang Jin's characteristic humor and helps the audience reconsider the humane side of politics, which is generally believed to be all show and business. Jang Jin's drama depicts the duality of a politician and a living man, thus continually displaying that there are two sides to life in Cheongwadae. The contrast between the office, where serious debate takes place, and the kitchen, where one goes when facing distress, displays how politics and life are equally intertwined. The presidents exhibit determination, indignation and pride in the office, but prefer to draw on the wisdom of simplicity and life itself in the kitchen. Our opening film Good Morning President is a story about the President, the most important figure in Korean society, who makes one smile at the humane face of politics. It is high above the sphere of the current Korean film scene and provides an appealing consideration of this generation's spirit.

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Source: Screendaily

Pusan film festival to screen record 355 films
9 September, 2009 | By Jean Noh

The 14th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) will screen a record 355 films from 70 countries, including with 98 world premieres and 46 international premieres.

Good Morning President
Jang Dong-gun stars in Good Morning President, which will open this year's Pusan Film Festival

Held in South Korea's second-largest city, the festival will open Oct 8 with local director Jang Jin's comedy Good Morning President, starring heartthrob Jang Dong-gun (The Promise), and close Oct 16 with Chinese thriller The Message, co-directed by Chen Kuo-fu and Gao Qunshu.

"Although other major festivals had to reduce their size because of the global economic crisis, we were able to invite a record number of films thanks to increased support from Pusan city and our sponsors," said fest director Kim Dong-ho.

The festival is continuing on its quest to discover and introduce Asian cinema as well as support the industry with its Asian Cinema Fund and projects market PPP – both previously announced.

In addition to its New Currents competition for new Asian directors, PIFF has also launched the new Flash Forward competition for non-Asian filmmakers bringing their first or second features (see lists below).

A Window on Asian Cinema will screen 53 films from 23 countries, with world/international premieres including Kobayashi Masahiro's A White Night, Cheng Wen-tang's Tears and Woo Ming Jin's Woman On Fire Looks for Water.

The World Cinema section will screen 96 films from 52 countries, including Costa Gavras' Eden Is West and Piotr Dumala's The Forest from Poland.

The local films in the Korean Cinema Today section and across the board are marked by "expansion and humour" according to Korean programmer Lee Sang-yong, who explained that in the midst of financial difficulties the local industry has found ways to make more innovative films that "reach out to communicate with the masses."

These include several second features from filmmakers with noted debuts. Lee Song Hee-il (No Regrets) has Break Away, Park Chan-ok (Jealousy Is My Middle Name) has Paju, and Kim Tai-sik (Driving With My Wife's Lover) has Tokyo Taxi in the fest.

Guests include Josh Hartnett and Lee Byung-hun featuring in Tran Anh Hung's I Come With The Rain, Bryan Singer as producer of Trick 'r Treat, and French director Jean-Jacques Beineix as head of the New Currents jury.

Special sections with visiting guests will include retrospectives on Johnnie To, Filipino independent cinema and Italian horror master Dario Argento.

A retrospective on late director Ha Kil-chong's films will also screen along with the works of Arthur Penn, his professor from UCLA, which will be in a New American Cinema retrospective.

The festival has also added commemorative retrospectives for the recently deceased local director Yu Hyun-mok and actress Jang Jin-young.

The Asian Film Market will host 72 companies from 22 countries opening 44 sales offices in the Seacloud Hotel. Registered buyers include China's Bona International, France's Celluloid Dreams, India's Star Entertainment and Japan's SPO.

Full Competition Line-up Lists:

New Currents

(title/country/director)

Dead Slowly (Hong Kong) Rita Hui

I'm in Trouble! (Korea) So Sang-min

Kick Off (Iraq) Shawkat A. Korki

Lan (China) Jiang Wenli

Lost Paradise in Tokyo (Japan) Shiraishi Kazuya

A Man Who Ate Cherries (Iran) Payman Haghani

Mundane History (Thailand) Anocha Suwichakornpong

My Daughter (Malaysia) Charlotte Lim Lay Kuen

Paju (Korea) Park Chan-ok

Squalor (Philippines) Giuseppe Bede Sampedro

True Noon (Tajikstan) Nosir Saidov

The Well (India) Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni

Flash Forward

(title/country/director)

Bridges (Argentina) Julian Giulianelli

Chicago Heights(US/Korea) Daniel Nearing

Cosmonauta (Italy) Susanna Nichiarelli

Dust (Luxembourg/Austria) Max Jacoby

The Frost (Spain/Norway) Ferran Audi

The Kino Caravan (Romania/Germany) Titus Muntean

Last Cowboy Standing (Finland/Germany) Zaida Bergroth

The Loners (Israel) Renen Schorr

Magma (France) Pierre Vinour

Miss Kicki (Sweden/Taiwan) Hakon Liu

Zero (Poland) Pawel Borowski

Source: The Korea Herald 2009.09.10
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/dat...00909100011.asp

Jang Dong-gun's new film to open PIFF

Director Jang Jin's latest political comedy starring Jang Dong-gun as Korea's youngest president-elect will open this year's Pusan International Film Festival, to be held in the nation's southeastern port city Oct. 8-16.

Announced during the official PIFF news conference on Tuesday at the Press Center in central Seoul, the selection came as a surprise as last year's opener, an obscure Kazakh film that fest organizers claimed at the time would showcase films from emerging film markets from the Southeast and Central Asian region, was a shift in the direction the festival had been steering towards in recent years.

This year, organizers of Korea's biggest film festival have switched their focus to domestic films buoyed by the recent success of such local blockbusters like "Haeundae" and "Take-Off."

"The Korean film industry, which have been in a bit of a rut has been clawing its way back onto relevance and we wanted to keep the upbeat mood in the industry by choosing a domestic film to open this year's festival," said PIFF program director Lee Sang-yong.

"Director Jang Jin's film is full of humor and covers a wide spectrum of issues that concern Korean society today as well as themes that people of all generations can relate to. There really was no other selection more appropriate than his film."

He further added that Jang Dong-gun -- hugely popular throughout all of Asia -- would be actively participating in the promotion of the film at the festival.

"Jang Dong-gun will not only attend the premiere but he will also make appearances at various gala events and we will try hard to bring him closer to visiting fans at this year's festival."

But with the emerging threat and widespread concerns over the H1N1 virus sweeping the nation, organizers addressed the issue by stating infrared equipment with the capability to detect abnormal body temperatures in guests will be installed at theater entrances before screenings as well as passing out disinfecting handy wipes to festival participants.

"We are pouring all of our resources into preventing a potential outbreak so visitors can be rest assured and can come to the festival without any worries," said PIFF Chairman Kim Dong-ho.

Organizers expect more than 200,000 visitors to the festival, one of the largest in Asia, which will be held at six major theaters and art houses in Busan.

The list of VIPs to the festival include include Bryan Singer who produced the "X-Men" series, Italian director Dario Argento and Josh Hartnett among many others.

Hartnett, the Hollywood star of "Black Hawk Down" (2001), is making his visit at the invitation of Korean actor Lee Byung-hun according to organizers. The two, along with Japanese actor Takuya Kimura, starred in "I Come With the Rain," directed by French director of Vietnamese ancestry Anh Hung Tran. The movie is one of this year's entries in the PIFF's only competition category of New Current Award.

This year's festival will screen 355 films from 70 countries - the largest ever recorded in the festival's history. Of them, about 100 of them are premieres.

The festival will also hold a retrospective on late Korean actress Jang Jin-young, who died on Sept. 1 of stomach cancer, playing three of her representative works.

Closing the event will be "The Message," a much anticipated film about communists fighting against Japanese invaders.

Tickets start selling Sept. 21. For more information, log onto http://www.piff.org

(kws@heraldm.com)
By Song Woong-ki

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: The Korea Times 09-09-2009 17:12
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2.../135_51533.html

Source: KOFIC Sep 18 2009

Korean Films Premiering at 14th Pusan Fest

A number of high-profile Korean features will have their World Premiere at the 14th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) including opening film Good Morning, President by writer-director JANG Jin. It stars top Korean actor JANG Dong-gun, who is expected to greet the opening night crowd when the fest kick offs October 8 for a 9-day run.

Making it's Gala World Premiere is The Fair Love by director SHIN Yeon-shick, a drama starring veteran lead AHN SUNG-ki about an unstoppable romance between an old bachelor in his 50s and a college girl in her 20s. Also in the Gala program is In My End Is My Beginning by MIN Kyu-dong, the director of All for Love (2005) and Antique (2008). The new film stars UHM Jung-hwa and KIM Hyo-jin and is an extension of MIN's contribution to the omnibus feature Five Senses of Eros, released earlier this year.

Another highlight is the return of award-winning director SONG Il-gon (Magicians, A Feather), who will premiere his feature documentary Dance of Time, in the Wide Angle Documentary Showcase section. Filmed in Cuba, the film follows the generations of Korean-Cubans who have lived there since their ancestors were forcibly relocated to Cuba over 100 years ago.

In competition in the New Currents section with other premiere Asian features is Paju, the highly anticipated second feature by PARK Chan-ok who won the Rotterdam Tiger Award for her debut feature Jealousy is My Middle Name; and a comedy by director SO Sang-min titled I'm in Trouble, about a love-addicted third rate poet and his women.

KWON Chil-in, the director of Singles (2003) and Hellcats (2008) is back with his fourth feature, Loveholic in the Korean Cinema Today - Panorama section. Also here is Tokyo Taxi, the eagerly awaited second feature by KIM Tai-sik (Driving With My Wife's Lover) about a singer with a fear of flying who takes a taxi from Seoul to Tokyo.

Another taxi-themed premiere in this section is Maybe by JU Ji-hong, a drama about a taxi driver and an overseas Korean adoptee. Rounding out the section are The Executioner, a death-row drama by CHOI Jin-ho, Vegetarian by LIM Woo-seong and Where Are You Going? by PARK Chur-woon .

Nigel D'Sa (KOFIC)

14th Pusan Int'l Film Fest Boasts Huge Line-Up

The 14th edition of the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), Asia's top film industry event, has announced a record line-up of 355 films from 70 countries, up from 315 last year. Running October 8 – 16 in Busan, Korea's second largest city, PIFF will introduce 98 World Premieres and 46 International Premieres.

Opening the fest is Korean film Good Morning President by writer-director JANG Jin, a comedy about 3 fictional Korean presidents including one that is a female and one very young played by Korean wave star JANG Dong-gun. Closing PIFF is the Int'l Premiere of Chinese WW2 political thriller The Message by co-directed by CHEN Kuo-fu of Taiwan and GAO Qunshu of China.

New Currents, PIFF's main competition section contains 12 new Asian films and an international jury headed this year by Jean-Jacques Beineix, French director of Betty Blue. In addition, from this year a new competition section and prize entitled the "Flash Forward Award" will be devoted to finding the best non-Asian film from among 11 up-and-coming filmmakers outside of Asia.

Special Programs this year include a focus on Hong Kong director Johnnie To, screening 10 of his films including Election and his latest, Vengeance. A seminar on To's films will also be held along with a Master Class given by the director in person. Other programs include a Filipin o Independent Film Special and Ani Aisa! – presenting 9 new Asian animated features.

Guests include Italian horror maestro Dario Argento and French veteran master Costa Gavras. The two will participate in both a Hand Printing ceremony and a Master Class. Alongside the festival, the Asian Film Market – a multi-platform venue for film industry business, and PPP – a project financing market, will be held Oct. 11 – 14.

PIFF and Asian Film Market will take place in Busan's beach town resort area of Haeundae, with additional public screenings running in the downtown core of Nampo-dong. The festival's English-language website is available at http://www.piff.org/eng. The New Current's line-up of Asian competition films, including 2 Korean films, is as follows:

New Currents

"Dead Slowly" by Rita Hui (Hong Kong)
"I'm in Trouble!" by SO Sang-min (Korea)
"Kick Off" by Shawkat A. Korki (Iraq)
"Lan" by Jiang Wenli (China)
"Lost Paradise in Tokyo" by Shiraishi Kazuya (Japan)
"A Man Who Ate Cherries" by Payman Haghani (Iran)
"Mundane History" by Anocha Suwichakornipong (Thailand)
"My Daughter" by Charlotte Lim Lay Kuen (Malaysia)

Source: indieWIRE
http://www.indiewire.com/article/pusan_sup...sident_to_open/

Pusan Supersizes with 355 Films; "Good Morning President" to Open
by Brian Brooks (Updated 20 hours, 42 minutes ago)

Tilda Swinton in a scene from Luca Guadagnino's Pusan Gala film, "I Am Love." Image courtesy of PIFF.

Korea's giant 14th Pusan International Film Festival is set for its October event with a whopping 355 films hitting the screens on the island resort just off the southern city of Busan. The line up includes 143 world and international premieres of which 72 features will screen as world debuts.

Opening the festival, which takes place October 8 - 16, is the world premiere of Jang Jin's "Good Morning President," described by the festival as "an abridged version of the politics and life of three different Korean heads of state. The three arethe older President Kim Jung Ho at the end of his term, the young President Cha Ji Wook, a skillful manipulator of foreign policy and with great determination, and a female President Han Kyoung Ja. They are distressed over the choices they have to make between politics and ethics.

The international debut of "The Message" by Gao Qunshu and Chen Kuo-fu will close Pusan. Set in China in 1942, the film is a spy drama is described as an "intense psychological warfare" between five agents and intelligence officers in which a freindshis is tested against the "moral duty to sacrifice oneself for the country."

Seven films are screening in Pusan's Gala Presentations section, with three hailing from Asia. "Chengdu, I Love You" recalls the tragedy of the great earthquake at Chengdu, China in 2008 and transcends it into a message of hope. Matsumoto Hitoshi's novel film, "Symbol" and Tran Ahn Hung's latest film in eight years, "I Come with the Rain" is also among the line up, with actors from the U.S., Korea, and Japan.

The Official selection list with descriptions and commentary provided by the Pusan International Film Festival:

"Symbol," directed by Matsumoto Hitoshi - Japan
A washed-up, middle aged professional wrestler, Escargoman, is having breakfast with his wife, two kids and father. Every morning Escargoman enjoys reading the newspaper over coffee, the happiest time of his day and the only moment of peace before tackling a physically and emotionally challenging job. But this morning, his wife notices something different about him. She somehow knows this is not because of her husband's upcoming fight against a notoriously aggressive young fighter, Tequila Joe. Meanwhile, a man wakes up and mysteriously finds himself trapped in an empty, white rectangular room, wearing clownish bright yellow polka dot pajamas. He has no idea how he got into this predicament. He looks to find that he is surrounded by a bunch of phallic-like symbols sticking out of the walls! Desperately trying to find his way out, he touches them, and suddenly, starts experiencing one strange phenomena after another.

"A Little Pond," directed by Lee Saang Woo - Korea
July, 1950. The country is astir with the Korean War, but things in Ba-wui-gol, a small mountain village, go on as normal. Once in a while they hear news about the war through people who go into town. But, as the US army gets defeated and retreats south, the people of Ba-wui-gol are forced to evacuate and seek refuge. [A Little Pond], which is based on the Nogunri incident follows how 'ignorant' people who did not know anything about the realities of war were sacrificed. Rather than dealing this situation from a set ideological viewpoint, Lee captures the people as a whole, within a community in the big picture. Also, this film is the late Park Gwang-jung's last film. It is another tribute to his final performance as an actor.

"In My End is My Beginning," directed by Min Kyu-dong - Korea
When Jung-ha loses her husband in an accident, Naru, her husband's secret lover, comes to her. Naru begs Jung-ha that she will do anything if only she will let her stay at her house. Jung-ha denies her at first, but eventually, their odd cohabiting begins. Short parts of In My End is My [beginning] were introduced by the omnibus film, [Five Senses of Eros], as one of its episodes. But the feature length version of the film shows the 'real end' of the relationship driving into catastrophe. Uhm Jung-hwa and Kim Hyo-jin, the top actresses of the time, well expressed the extreme characters through their great performance. The two character's entanglement with love and lust expand into a lesbian like relationship and leads to a new way of life at the end of the relationship.

"I Come with the Rain," directed by Tran Anh Hung - France/U.S.
In Los Angeles, Kline (Josh Hartnett), a young ex-cop, is struggling with the psychological trauma of his last case: tracking down and slaying a serial killer. Turning to private detective work, Kline is hired by a rich Chinese businessman to fly to Asia on a mission to find mini cooperao (Kimura Takuya), his missing son. Kline finds out that the king of the Hong Kong mafia, Su Dongpo (Lee Byung Hun), is also searching for mini cooperao, because this vagrant, who has mysterious powers to cure the sick, took in a wounded Lili, the beautiful wife of Su Dongpo. Shot on state-of-the-art HD and featuring music by Radiohead and Gustavo Santaolalla ["Babel"], ["Brokeback Mountain"], this modern thriller plunges us into an exotic urban world of gritty realism and sensual beauty.

"I Am Love," directed by Luca Guadagnino - Italy
Emma, from Russia, gets married into the rich, upper class Recchi family of Milano. On her father-in-law's birthday, her son, Edoardo, and her husband, Tancredi, are both announced as co-heirs to the family fortune. As a crack begins to slowly form in the family, Emma starts to fall for her son's friend, Antonio, who is a chef. The film shows the fall of a high class Italian family, and the passion and emotion that challenges the past and tradition with outstanding style. Suitable casting shows the 'noble, rich people' who pursue aristocratic lives and luxurious, extravagant images to capture their lifestyles are all breathtaking. As the wave of the lavishness and moderate double side of the family grows, the tension also heightens. Tilda Swinton's starring performance is impeccable.

"The Fair Love," directed by Sin Yeon-Shick - Korea
An unstoppable romance between an old bachelor in his 50s and a college girl in her 20s. Despite the twenty-six year age difference and the fact that he is dating his friend's daughter, the old bachelor and the young woman become closer and closer. The 50 year-old bachelor even runs the 100m dash for the first time in twenty years to propose to his love. Director Shin Yeon-Shick takes what may seem like a very conventional melodrama and freely releases the drama of 'fortuity' and probes into the universal emotions of this era in a more comic way. Just as its title, [The Fair Love], it tries to tell how 'fairness' or 'salvation' can be introduced. Actors AHN Sung-ki and LEE Ha-na's performances in their leading roles are outstanding. It is sure to be one of the most lovable films of the year.

"Chengdu, I Love You," directed by Fruit Chan and Cui Jian - China
On May 12, 2008, an earthquake measuring 8.0 Richter scale hit Wenchuan. The earthquake left Chengdu in great damage. Over 70% of the famous historical sites were destroyed. The beauty of Chengdu never faded because of the earthquake. Zonbo Media invited three Asian directors to make this film. Through different styles and angles, the directors show kinship, love, and friendship and tell stories of the aftermath of the earthquake. Each director made a thirty-minute film which has all been combined into a feature film. This is a film full of love, joy, and surprise. By means of a film, the three directors from different territories in Asia shall, from their own perspective, tell the stories of Chengdu and record the feelings and emotions of those who were affected by the earthquake. That is the overall theme of the film, and it's also a benefit film meant to comfort people.

[For more information including the line up from the festival's other sections, visit their website.]

posted on September 8, 2009

kdramafanusa

PIFF Announces Record Lineup of 355 Films

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

The Pusan (Busan) International Film Festival (PIFF) will open its 14th edition with a star-studded local drama, organizers announced Tuesday, spotlighting the recovery of the South Korean movie industry.

The leading Asian event from Oct. 8 to 16 in the southern port city will screen a record lineup of 355 films from 70 countries, including 98 world premieres.

The festival kicks off with "Good Morning President," directed by Jang Jin and starring heartthrob Jang Dong-kun and veteran actors Lee Soon-jae and Ko Doo-shim. The three star as three fictitious Korean presidents.

The selection garnered much attention since PIFF had in the past made more "experimental," pan-Asian choices such as last year's Kazakh film "Gift to Stalin." The 9.9 billion won event closes with the Chinese spy thriller "The Message," helmed by Taiwan's Chen Guo-fu and China' Gao Qunshu.

"Choosing a Korean film as the opening piece has symbolic significance, to revamp the slack Korean film industry," PIFF festival director Kim Dong-ho told reporters Tuesday in Seoul.

The local film industry is enjoying a strong recovery. The disaster film "Haeundae," coincidentally shot in Busan, became one of the country's highest grossing films in recent years, beating Hollywood competitors including "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen."

"Even though `Good Morning President' has strong mainstream appeal it seethes with the unique humor of the multifaceted cineaste Jang Jin," said programmer Lee Sang-yong.

Jang, the prolific theater director, playwright, screenwriter and producer ("Welcome to Dongmakgol"), returns to PIFF for the first time in 12 years since his feature debut "The Happenings" was screened in the 2nd edition of the festival.

"I didn't know (my film was going to be chose) so I just shot it with ease. Had I known I would've tried to make it more worth of an international audience. I shot it with great excitement," said Jang. "Even though there's a jinx in the industry that PIFF opening films don't do well in the box office, I'm happy the film gets to meet the audience riding the pleasant sea breeze of Busan."

Jang Dong-kun, who had been off the public radar since his last movie "Typhoon," is expected to be seen at the festival. Other paparazzi magnets to be spotted include Hollywood beauty Moon Bloodgood and "Pearl Harbor" star Josh Hartnett as well as "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" actor Lee Byung-hun. The latter two visit in time to promote their movie, "I Come With the Rain" (directed by Tran Anh Hung, Gala Presentation section), which also stars Japanese heartthrob Kimura Takuya.

Other prominent guests include award-winning Chinese director Jia Zhangke, French helmer Costa Gavras and "X-Men" director Bryan Singer, who will give master classes. Chinese rocker Cui Jian will discuss "Chengdu, I Love You," a collaboration with Hong Kong indie filmmaker Fruit Chan and Korea's beloved melodrama director Hur Jin-ho.

Italian maestro Dario Argento will also be in town to grace his namesake retrospective section and popular actor/short film director Yu Ji-tae will judge short films.

Record Lineup

The unprecedented size of the lineup ― up 40 from last year, with a record 144 world and international premieres ― evoked some concern among the press that it was "too much," particularly since the festival director had said last year that between 280 and 300 films was ideal.

"We have invited films from diverse regions including Africa as well as works from third world countries. We had to add special sections for director Argento's visit and the late director Yoo Hyun-mok. It was also difficult to deny a spot for the great works by emerging or debuting directors," said the festival director.

In addition to Yoo Hyun-mok, the festival features a retrospective on Ha Kil-dong. Organizers are also planning sections on the works of Hong Kong filmmaker Johnnie To and independent films from the Philippines. This year's Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award will go to Indian director and producer Yash Chopra.

Newly added features include the Flash Forward Award in the Flash Forward section, which spotlights the first or second works by newly emerging cineastes outside of Asia. PIFF will also host events to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Korea Academy of Film Arts.

For more information about the festival visit www.piff.org.

hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

October 8, 2009

Thanks for starting this thread.

The 10th Pusan Film Critics Association Awards

Best Picture: Mother

Best Director: Yang Ik-Joon (Breathless)

Best Actor: Ha Jung-Woo (My Dear Enemy)

Best Actress: Kim Hye-Ja (Mother)

Best Supporting Actor: Shin Jung-Geun (Running Turtle)

Best Supporting Actress:

Jury Prize: Jung Ji-Woo (Modern Boy)

Best Screenplay: Lee Hae-Joon (Castaway On The Moon)

Best Cinematography: Hong Kyung-Pyo (Mother)

Best New Director: Lee Yong-Joo (Living Death)

Best New Actor: So Ji-Sub . Kang Ji-Hwan (Rough Cut)

Best New Actress: Kim Bo-Young (The Day After)

Lee Pil-Woo Award: Kim Tae-Woo

Special Achievement Award: Joo Yoon-Tak

Best Actress Kim Hye-Ja & Best Actor Ha Jung-Woo [image=Osen]

Awards will be given out on the 9th starting at 5pm.

▲최우수작품상=마더

▲감독상=양익준(똥파리)

▲남우주연상=하정우(멋진하루)

▲여우주연상=김혜자(마더)

▲남우조연상=신정근(거북이 달린다)

▲여우조연상=수상자 없음

▲심사위원특별상=정지우(모던보이)

▲각본상=이해준(김씨표류기)

▲촬영상=홍경표(마더)

▲신인감독상=이용주(불신지옥)

▲신인남우상=소지섭·강지환(영화는영화다)

▲신인여우상=김보영(어떤 개인 날)

▲이필우기념상=김태우(신영기재 회장)

▲특별공헌상=주윤탁

Related News

http://osen.co.kr/news/Enter_View.asp?gisano=G0910070028

http://www.eto.co.kr/?Code=20091007143638737&ts=151415

http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno...100707564011552

http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=200910070904391003

http://sports.chosun.com/news/ntype2.htm?u...07/9ag75110.htm

http://star.moneytoday.co.kr/view/stview.p...100619193677069

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

rubie · October 8, 2009

Thank you very much WoundedHeart for starting the 14th PIFF thread, it is one well worth waiting for, really appreciate your goodwill and keep it up. Everyone, please enjoy sharing & continue updating for all. Hope this year's festival thread would get even better participation from forum members compared to previous ones.

Official Selection List

I COME WITH THE RAIN

France/US 2009 110min 35mm COLOR

In Los Angeles, Kline (Josh Hartnett), a young ex-cop, is struggling with the psychological trauma of his last case: tracking down and slaying a serial killer. Turning to private detective work, Kline is hired by a rich Chinese businessman to fly to Asia on a mission to find Shi tao (Kimura Takuya), his missing son. Kline finds out that the king of the Hong Kong mafia, Su Dongpo (Lee Byung-hun), is also searching for Shi tao, because this mysterious vagrant, who has mysterious powers to cure the sick, took in a wounded Lili, the beautiful wife of Su Dongpo.

Shot on state-of-the-art HD and featuring music by Radiohead and Gustavo Santaolalla ([babel] and [brokeback Mountain]), this modern thriller plunges us into an exotic urban world of gritty realism and sensual beauty.

Director TRAN Anh Hung

Born in Vietnam in 1962, TRAN Anh Hung immigrated to France when he was twelve and later majored in film directing at Louis Lumire Film School. After graduating in 1987, he directed two short films and went on to make his feature film debut in 1993 with [The Scent of Green Papaya] which won La Camera d’Or at Cannes. His second film, [Cyclo] won the Gold Lion at the 1995 Venice Film Festival.

Code Theater Date Info Ticket

272 CGV Centum City 8 Oct 13 18:30 272

077 Daeyoung Cinema 3 Oct 15 20:00 077

156 CGV Centum City 4 Oct 9 17:00 156

Source: 1 l 2

ICWTR captures from GBW-cafe.daum 4878

October 7, 2009

Josh Hartnett writes letter to Korean fans

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr기사 폰트확대

Hollywood actor Josh Hartnett in the film "I Come with the Rain" [K&Entertainment]

Hollywood actor Josh Hartnett has written a personal message to his Korean fans ahead of his visit to the country this week, according to a press release by film distributor K&Entertainment.

The actor sent a hand-written letter which said that he was "very excited" about attending the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) to promote his action thriller film "I Come with the Rain".

He said he had heard "many great things about Korea" from top Korean actor Lee Byung-hun, his co-star in "Rain", and would be "looking forward to meeting our fans, eating some good food, seeing the sights."

"Rain", written and directed by Vietnamese-born French director Tran Anh Hung of "The Scent of Green Papaya", has been invited to show in the Gala Presentation category at the PIFF this year.

All three stars of the film, also including popular Japanese singer and actor Takuya Kimura, will show up at the film fest which kicks off in the southern city of Pusan and Thursday and ends next Friday.

"Rain" will be released on October 15 in Korea.

Letter from Josh Hartnett [K&Entertainment]

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr l Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

October 8, 2009

[source=PIFF Official homepage]

Host for the Opening Ceremony of the 14th PIFF

2009-09-24 오전 10:09:00

Press Release

Curtains up for the 14th Pusan International Film Festival

with hosts JANG Mi-hee and KIM Yoon-suk

[image=hankyung]

The 14th Pusan International Film Festival has selected two actors JANG Mi-hee and KIM Yoon-suk as hosts for the Opening Ceremony on October 8th, 2009. As a representative figure in the Korean film history in the 1970’s and 1980’s, JANG continues her success with her role as the colorful and unique character “GOH Eun-a” in the TV drama Mom Has Grown Horns that aired in 2008. The other host, KIM is an undeniably charismatic actor who has captivated movie viewers. The two hosts will raise the curtains of the 14th film festival in the city harbor on October 8th at the Outdoor Theater in the Busan Yachting Center, Haeundae.

As one of the “Korean Troika” together with YOO Ji-in and JUNG Yoon-hee in the 1970’s, JANG made her debut in Seong Chun-hyang (1976) and has continuously appeared in films and TV dramas. Undoubtedly, she is having a Renaissance in her acting career while taking a greater variety of roles on the screen and television that now even incorporate comedic characters. In addition to her career as an actress, JANG has expanded her career into academia as an associate professor of the Theater and Film Department at Myongji College.

KIM Yoon-suk started his acting career in theater in “Daehak-no” (University Street), the theatrical Broadway of Seoul. After solidifying his on-stage career, he made his screen debut in the hit movie The War Of Flower (2006). Despite his small role as an evil gambler “Agwi” in the movie, he successfully gained wide renown among moviegoers. In 2008, The Chaser made him one of the top Korean actors, earning him multiple awards as the outstanding lead actor at the Daejong Film Awards, Korea Film Awards, and Blue Dragon Film Awards.

The two hosts will share a special moment at the 14th PIFF as the films in which each of them starred in are invited for screening. In a section “Korean Cinema Retrospective”, Stars’ Hometown (successive, 1978, co-starring SHIN Sung-il) will be screened for “HA Kil-chong, The Dreamer for New Cinema” and the audience will have a chance to see JANG in the late 1970’s on screen. Meanwhile, KIM will dazzle the audience again with Running Turtle in a section named “Korean Cinema Today – Panorama”.

◎ Filmography of JANG Mi-hee

− Sad Dream (2008, special appearance)

− Season In The Sun (2003)

− Anniquin (1997)

− Father (1997)

− Death Song (1991)

− Hwang Jin-Yi (1986)

− Deep Blue Night (1985)

− Warm Rain At Winter (1981)

− Wooden Horse Sent To The Sea (1980)

− Stars’ Hometown (successive, 1978)

− Winter Woman (1977)

− Seong Chun-hyang (1976)

− and many others

◎ Filmography of KIM Yoon-suk

− Jeon Woo Chi (to be released in 2009)

− Running Turtle (2009)

− The Chaser (2008)

− Happy Life (2007)

− The War Of Flower (2006)/

− Like A Virgin (2006)

− The Big Swindle (2004)

< Previous Hosts >

Edition

Opening Ceremony (Male/Female)

Closing Ceremony (Male/Female)

13th

JANG Jin-young / KIM Jung-eun

CHO Jae-hyun / YE Ji-won

12th

JANG Joon-hwan / MOON So-ri

11th

AHN Sung-ki / MOON Geun-yeong

CHA In-pyo / SHIN Ae-ra

10th

HAN Seok-kyu / KANG Soo-yeon

AHN Sung-ki / JANG Mi-hee

9th

AHN Sung-ki / LEE Young-ae

KIM Tae-woo / BAE Jong-ok

8th

PAK Jung-hun / PANG Eun-jin

HWANG Jung-min / KIM Ho-jung

7th

AHN Sung-ki / PANG Eun-jin

MOON Sung-keun / BAE Yu-chung

6th

SONG Kang-ho / PANG Eun-jin

MOON Sung-keun / BAE Yu-chung

5th

OH Dongjin / PANG Eun-jin

YEO Kyun-dong / BAE Yu-chung

4th

MOON Sung-keun / PANG Eun-jin

AHN Sung-ki / BAE Yu-chung

3rd

MYUNG Kay-nam / BAE Yu-chung

PAK Jung-hun / BAE Yu-chung

2nd

KIM Ui-seong / PARK Jeong-suk

PAK Jung-hun / BAE Yu-chung

1st

MOON Sung-kun / KIM Yeon-ju

AHN Sung-ki / KIM Yeon-ju

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The 14th PIFF Announces the 2009 Jury Members

2009-08-25

Press Release

The 14th PIFF Announces the 2009 Jury Members

Jean-Jacques BEINEIX of Diva and Betty Blue for the jury head of the New Currents Award and actor YOU Jitae for a juror for the Sonje Award

The Pusan International Film Festival is highlighting emerging Asian directors through the New Currents Award. This year Jean-Jacques BEINEIX has been nominated to head the jury for the competitive New Currents section. As a representative nouvelle image (new image) director, BEINEIX has captured worldwide attention with his films Diva and Betty Blue. Other jury members of the award include Yesim USTAOGLU (Turkey - director), Pen-ek RATANARUANG (Thailand - director), Terri KWAN (Taiwan - actress), and KIM Hyungkoo (Korea - cinematographer). These five jurors will screen films submitted to the New Currents section and will present the two winners of the award with a cash prize of 30,000 USD.

The jury members for the newly created the Flash Forward Award for the 14th event (with a focus on non-Asian directors) include; Marianne SLOT - producer of The Idiots and Dancer in the Dark ; Frederic BOYER - artistic director of the Directors’ Fortnight of Cannes; and, Alissa SIMON - programmer at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

The jurors for the PIFF Mecenat Award (Wide Angle section) for documentaries are comprised of; KO Youngjae - producer of Old Partner; Dorothee WENNER - programmer for the International Forum of Berlin; and, Jane YU - program director of the Taiwan International Documentary Festival and film critic.

On the list of the jurors for the Sonje Award (Wide Angle section) for short films are; YOU Jitae - a Korean actor and director; Simojukka RUIPPO - a Finnish independent documentary director and producer; and, Chui Mui TAN - a Malaysian director. The PIFF Mecenat Award and Sonje Award are awarded to the best documentary and best short film from among the Korean and Asian films invited to the Wide Angle that have a cash prize of 10 million Korean won each.

Jury for New Currents Award

Jean-Jacques BEINEIX - jury head / director

French director BEINEIX is a recognized nouvelle image director. His debut feature Diva (1981) earned wide acclaim at the Moscow, Toronto, and other international film festivals in addition to receiving four awards at César. In 1986, he won the top prize in Montreal with Betty Blue (based on a Philippe Djian novel), which was also nominated for best foreign language film at both the Oscars and the Golden Globe Awards. With these two movies, he enthralled the global audience in the 80s. BEINEIX has published an autobiography, in addition to being an accomplished painter.

Yesim USTAOGLU - director

The Turkish director studied architecture in Trabzon and she later began filmmaking after working in the design field for ten years. She drew global attention in 1999 with Journey to the Sun that won the Blue Angel Award at Berlin. Other directed works include The Track (1994) and Waiting for the Clouds (2003). In 2008, her movie Pandoras Box received awards for best film and best actress at the San Sebastian International Film Festival.

Pen-ek RATANARUANG - director

As art director at a Thai advertising agency, RATANARUANG created ads that won several international awards. His debut feature Fun Bar Karaoke (1997) received jury award at the Nantes Three Continents Festival. He also directed Transistor Love Story (2001), which premiered at the Directors’ Fortnight event at Cannes 2002, and Invisible Waves (2006) among others. His films have screened at previous PIFF events.

Terri KWAN - actress

KWAN is a top actress in Taiwan. After high school, she majored in dance at the University of Arts in Philadelphia and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Performing Arts Administration from New York University. She received the best actress award at the Taiwan New Movie Awards 2007 with her debut film Drop Me a Cat (2003). She has since appeared in popular films such as Turn Left, Turn Right (2003), The Heirloom (2005) and Button Man (2008). Her most recent performance is the historic drama Prince of Tears that was invited to the competition section of Venice 2009.

KIM Hyungkoo - cinematographer

KIM has shot about 20 films including the short film Dead End (1993), Spring In My Hometown (1998), Peppermint Candy (1999), Musa (2001), Memories Of Murder (2003), Rikidozan: A Hero Extraordinary (2004), The Host (2006), Woman On The Beach (2006), and Happiness (2007). He is currently an associate professor of the Department of Film Making at the School of Film, TV & Multimedia at the Korea National University of Arts.

Jury for Flash Forward Award

Marianne SLOT - producer

SLOT was born in 1968 in Denmark, She has produced or co-produced about 20 films. She has previously worked with Danish director Lars von Trier on many films. They first met in Breaking the Waves, the winner of the Grand Prix at Cannes 1996. SLOT participated as a co-producer or co-executive producer in Trier’s “Golden Heart Trilogy” - The Idiots, Dancer in the Dark, and Breaking the Waves. She joined the World Premier of the 13th Pusan International Film Festival to show Be Good as a producer. Recently, she again joined hands with Trier as an executive co-producer in Antichrist.

Frederic BOYER - artistic director

BOYER founded Videosphere in 1994 that has become one of the largest DVD-VHS stores in Europe. Videosphere holds a wide variety of films for film lovers such as arthouse, cult, experimental, auteur, and classic movies. Since 2003, he has been on the Directors’ Fortnight Committee of Cannes as a programmer focusing on the US, the UK, Australia, East Europe, and Scandinavia. BOYER has been named the next artistic director of the Directors’ Fortnight of Cannes.

Alissa SIMON - programmer

SIMON has been a film programmer and critic for 20 years. She began her career in the Film Department of the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis and was Associate Director of Programming at the Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for 12 years. In 1999, she was named “Chicagoan of the Year” in the arts for her innovative programming. She served as a juror at the Sarajevo, Sochi, Torino, San Francisco, Cluj, Montreal, and Vancouver film festivals. She also contributes articles to Variety, CinemaScope, and other publications about films and film festivals. She founded a program consulting company in 2000 in addition to being a programmer for the Palm Springs International Film Festival in California.

Jury for Wide Angle

PIFF Mecenat Award for Documentaries

Dorothee WENNER - director, programmer

WENNER is a journalist, curator, and film director. She worked for a German radio station and writes for publications such as Die Zeit and Berliner Tageszeitung. She is a programmer for the International Forum of Berlin with a focus on Indian and Sub-Saharan Africa regions. She is the author of ‘Fearless Nadia: The True Story Of Bollywood`s Original Stunt Queen’ and ‘Die Megastadt als Filmdorf: Bombay im Bollywood-Film’. Works that she directed include Hollywood Killed Me (1988), 10 Foreigners Talking About Germany (2002), Star Biz (2005), Shanti Plus (2006), and Peace Mission (2008). Her works were introduced in previous Wide Angle sections of the Pusan International Film Festival.

Jane YU - program director of the Taiwan International Documentary Festival

Born in Taiwan, YU earned a Master’s Degree from the Cinema Studies Department at New York University. She has been a film festival programmer since 1995. She served as a program director at the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival, Women Make Waves Film Festival, and Green International Film Festival. She is a program director of the Taipei Film Festival and the Taiwan International Documentary Festival as well as a film critic and college lecturer.

KO Youngjae - producer

GOH began his independent filmmaking career at a Culture School. He studied cinema at Yong In University and has since worked in various fields including editing, synchronous recording, and sound mixing. He was in charge of education planning and lecturing on media at the Moving Image Technology Association of Korea and at MEDIACT of the Media Center. Since 2006, he has been the secretary general of the Association of Korea Independent Film & Video. He is also the head of Nurimbo film studio which produced Our School (2006), Life Track (2007) and Old Partner (2008) among others. He recently founded a digital distributor Indieplug Inc. to distribute independent films.

Sonje Award for Short Films

Simojukka RUIPPO - director, producer

RUIPPO is an independent documentary film director and producer. Born in 1964 in Tampere, Finland, he has been a programmer and a selection committee member of the Tampere International Short Film Festival for 16 years. He co-directed his first documentary work Pyongyang Robogirl with Jouni Hokkanen in 2001. They made several films together including Childrens Palace (2003), The Dictators Cut (2005), Migrant Workers Are Not Terrorists (2005) and DMZ (2007), which were invited to the Wide Angle at the Pusan International Film Festival. This is 14th year for RUIPPO to participate in the festival.

Chui Mui TAN - director

Born in 1978, Malaysia, TAN studied film and animation at Multimedia University in Cyberjaya and served as an assistant at the school. He is actively directing independent films including several short films. Among them, A Tree In Tanjung Malim was recognized at the 51th International Short Film Festival Oberhause. His first feature film Love Conquers All won the New Currents Award at the 11th Pusan International Film Festival. He is working on his second feature The Year Without A Summer.

YOU Jitae - actor, director

Korean actor-director YOU earned a Master’s Degree from the Graduate school of Advanced Imaging Science, Multimedia & Film at Chung-Ang University. He debuted in the 1998 movie Bye June. Starring in Attack The Gas Station! , One Fine Spring Day, Old Boy and Woman Is the Future of Man, he is one of the highly acclaimed Korean actors. He successfully debuted as a director with the short film The Bike Boy (2003). Recently he directed and starred in Invitation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kang Soo-yeon named jury head of PIFF award

Lynn Kim | lynn2878@asiae.co.kr

기사입력 2009.10.08 10:37 최종수정 2009.10.08 10:37

Korean actress Kang Soo-yeon [Asia Economic Daily]

Korean actress Kang Soo-yeon has been selected to head the jury of the Flash Forward Award at Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), according to a press release by the organizing committee on Thursday.

The Flash Forward Award, first introduced at PIFF in 2007, was originally created to introduce the first or second features of up-and-coming non-Asian directors. This year, the committee turned the section into a competition.

Other jury members include Marianne Slot (producer/Denmark), Frederic Boyer(artistic director of the Directors’ Fortnight of Cannes/France), and Alissa Simon(programmer/U.S.).

Kang has won Best Actress awards at several international film festivals, most notably at Venice in 1987 for her role in "The Surrogate Mother" and at Moscow in 1989 for "Come Come Come Upward", earning her the nickname "World Star" in Korea.

The film festival kicks off today in Pusan and will end October 16.

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

rubie · October 8, 2009

General screening box office opened for the 14th PIFF

September 23, 2009

I Come With The Rain by TRAN Anh Hung sold out in 38 seconds

10,000 tickets sold out in 5 minutes, scoring 45,000 in 1 hour

The box office for general screenings for the 14th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) opened on September 23rd, 2009 from 9:00 A.M. The tickets for I Come With The Rain (GV screening) was rapidly sold out in only 38 seconds. Tickets allotted for advance purchase went on sales simultaneously through the Internet (http://piff.kr), mobile phones, branches of the Busan Bank and GS 25 convenience stores across Korea. Overall, 10,000 tickets were all gone in 5 minutes, and 45,000 tickets in an hour.

Most notably, pre-sale allocation for I Come With The Rain directed by TRAN Anh Hung was completely sold out in a matter of 38 seconds, proving the hot attention paid to its three actors LEE Byung-hun, Josh HARTNETT and KIMURA Takuya. Two Japanese films Killer Bride’s Perfect Crime (directed by KImini cooperANI Goro, starring UENO Juri) and Air Doll (directed by KORE-EDA Hirokazu, casting the Korean actress BAE Doo-na) took the baton, recording 41seconds and 57 seconds, respectively. Furthermore, the general screening tickets allotted for the opening film Good Morning President were sold out in 1 minute and 16 seconds. Such sellout rush continued to the famous Japanese actor YAKUSHO Koji’s debut feature Toad’s Oil scoring 1 minute and 47 seconds. With 159 films sold out in less than an hour, this year’s PIFF screens a record-breaking number of 355 films, grabbing the attention of festival-goers.

Although the allotment of tickets has been sold out for particular films, any cancelled or returned tickets will be resold through the Internet at http://piff.kr, at the one-stop mobile ticketing service Mobile PIFF, in nationwide GS25 convenient stores, and at the Busan Bank. For those who prefer the traditional approach, 20% of total tickets will be available at Temporary Box Offices open at screening venues during the festival period.

Source: piff.org

Photos from star.moneytoday.co.kr l star.mt.co.kr

October 7, 2009

Lee Byunghun - Josh Hartnett, cross-border friendship

Actors Josh Hartnett and Lee Byung-hun arrived in Busan Gimhae International Airport on the evening of October 7, 2009.

Hollywood star Josh Hartnett and top actor Lee Byunghun starred together in the movie "I Come With The Rain" which will be premiering at the 14th Pusan International Film Festival. Josh is attending the festival for the first time on the invitation of Lee Byunghun..

Source: star.moneytoday.co.kr

October 8, 2009

Bollywood’s Legendary Producer/Director Yash CHOPRA

Honored with Asian Filmmaker of the Year by the 14th Pusan International Film Festival

The 14th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) has selected the “Bollywood Emperor” Yash CHOPRA for the “Asian Filmmaker of the Year” award. Since the 8th PIFF in 2003, this award has been presented to Asian filmmakers with outstanding activities in improving and developing the Asian film industry and culture. This year’s Asian Filmmaker of the Year award and 2009 Asian Cinema Night party will be jointly held by the Pusan International Film Festival and L'Oréal Paris.

As the most influential producer and director in India over decades, CHOPRA has made remarkable contributions to establish Bollywood cinema on the global stage. He is also a founder of Yash Raj Films, India’s largest and leading film production company (established in 1970) that has been a hotbed of developing new talent. His efforts in raising the international profile of Indian movies through joint investments and co-productions with Hollywood have been highly acknowledged.

His tireless five-decade long devotion has made considerable contributions to enhance the global status of Indian films as well as Asian cinema. The 14th PIFF pays its respects to CHOPRA’s brilliant achievements and challenging spirit by presenting him the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award.

To commemorate the Indian director’s winning of the award, PIFF has carefully selected four movies under the banner of Yash Raj Films directed by CHOPRA or films that have gained incredible popularity. Selections are as follows:

- Lamhe (Moments, 1991) / Yash CHOPRA

- Dhoom 2 (2006) / Sanjay GADHVI

- Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (God Made This Couple, 2008) / Aditya CHOPRA

- New York (2009) / Kabir KHAN

○ Biography of Yash CHOPRA

Born on September 27, 1932 in Pujab, India, Yash CHOPRA started his career in the Indian film industry by assisting his brother B.R. CHOPRA. The director debuted with Blossom of Dust in 1959 and later established his own studio “Yash Raj Films” in 1970. Since then, more than 40 films have been produced under the studio’s banner that place Yash Raj Films at the top of Indian cinema. Among those movies, 12 were directed by CHOPRA. His films are characterized by solid scenarios, beautiful scenery, and heart-touching music. Together with the most prominent film stars including Amitabh BACHCHAN and Shahrukh KHAN, his movies opened a golden age for Bollywood movies. Yash Raj Films joined with Walt Disney Studios to create a series of animation films and revealed the first co-produced film Roadside Romeo in 2008. Such vigorous activities by CHOPRA and Yash Raj Films placed the studio in the number one slot for Filmfare’s Power List for three years in a row in 2005, 2006, and 2007.

(See the attached photo)

○ 2009 Asian Cinema Night to be held by L'Oréal Paris and Pusan International Film Festival

The Asian Filmmaker of the Year award will be presented at the 2009 Asian Cinema Night held jointly by L'Oréal Paris and the Pusan International Film Festival. Created in France, L'Oréal Paris has a history of 100 years as a truly global beauty brand. L'Oréal Paris is an official sponsor for the world-famous cinema festivals including Cannes, Berlin as well as Pusan International Film Festival aiming at a harmonious combination of beauty and art.

○ Previous awardees of the Asian Filmmaker of the Year

1st PIFF (2003): Mohsen MAKHMALBAF (Iran, Director/Producer)

2nd PIFF (2004): HOU Hsiao Hsien (Taiwan, Director)

3rd PIFF (2005): NHK (Japan, Broadcasting Corporation)

4th PIFF (2006): Andy LAU (Hong Kong, Actor/Producer)

5th PIFF (2007): The late Edward YANG (Taiwan, Director)

6th PIFF (2008): Gulnara SARSENOVA (Kazakhstan, Chairman of the International Eurasia Film Festival Organizing Committee/Producer)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Korean Cinema Award Receipients - Jeannette Paulson HERENIKO, Riccardo GELLI

14th Pusan International Film Festival presenting Korean Cinema Award to

− Jeannette Paulson HERENIKO, President of Asia Pacific Films.com, Former Director of Hawaii International Film Festival

− Riccardo GELLI, Director of Florence Korea Film Festival

The 14th Pusan International Film Festival has selected Jeannette Paulson HERENIKO and Riccardo GELLI as recipients of the Korean Cinema Award in recognition of their dedication to introduce Korean cinema to the United States and Italy. The award is presented annually to those who make contributions to Korean films by introducing them to the global film industry. The Korean Cinema Award will be presented this year during the festival.

○ Jeannette Paulson HERENIKO : President of Asia Pacific Film.com, Former Director of the Hawaii International Film Festival

Since 1985, Jeannette Paulson HERENIKO (former director of the Hawaii International Film Festival) has been relentless in her effort to introduce Korean films to the United States. Her tireless efforts include a screening tour of director BAE Chang-ho, retrospective of IM Kwon-taek at University of Southern California and a Korean cinema symposium at the University of Hawaii. She also introduced a number of Korean movies and directors to the American audience for the first time while serving as Director of the Hawaii International Film Festival. As a founding board member of NETPAC and formerly the first director of the Palm Springs International Film Festival, HERENIKO is currently working on an online library for films in the Asia Pacific region that include Korea. The online library (www.asiapacificfilms.com) is scheduled to be launched in October, 2009 through which records of Korean film schools and festivals will be introduced.

(See the attached photo)

○ Riccardo GELLI : Director of Korea Film Festival in Florence

Riccardo GELLI has introduced diverse Korean movies to Italy. Now in its 7th year, the festival has done special screenings, showing both previous or new films of KIM Ki-duk and many other Korean directors. The Korea Film Festival in the cultural city of Italy has been bridging the two nations under the umbrella of cinema that serves as an arena to introduce Korean cinema to the Italian audience. GELLI is a member as well as chief of many organizations aiming to connect Korean culture with that of Italy. The 8th edition of the festival will be held under the title “Florence Korea Film Fest - Festival of Korean Cinema in Italy” in 2010.

(See the attached photo)

○ Previous Recipients of the Korean Cinema Award

The 1st PIFF

- Adriano APRA (Italy) / Director at Pesaro Film Festival

- Tony RAYNS (UK) / Film Critic

- Alain JALLADEAU (France) / Director at the Nantes Three Continents Festival.

- Ulrich GREGOR (Germany) / Director at International Forum, Berlinale

- Larry KADISH (USA) / Programmer at MOMA

- Ancha FLUBACHER-RHIM (Switzerland)

- Simon FIELD (UK) / Director at International Film Festival at Rotterdam

The 2nd PIFF

- Aruna VASUDEV (India) / Editor-in-Chief at CINEMAYA

- SATO Tadao (Japan) / Director at Fukuoka Film Festival

The 3rd PIFF

- Gilles JACOB (France) / Director at International Film Festival at Cannes

- Moritz de HADELN (Germany) / Director at Berlin International Film Festival

The 4th PIFF

- Serge LOSIQUE (Canada) / Director at Montreal International Film Festival

- LEE Young-il (Korea) / Film Critic

The 5th PIFF

- Martin GIROD (Switzerland)

- Anna LOUISA GIROD (Switzerland)

The 6th PIFF

- Eva ZAORALOVA (Czech) / Director at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival

The 7th PIFF

- Alain PATEL (France) / Director at Deauville Asian Film Festival

The 8th PIFF

- PARK Byoung-yang (Japan) / President of Asia Film Production

- LEE Bong-ou LEE (Japan) / President of Cine Quanon

The 9th PIFF

- Kazuyki YANO (Japan) / Director at Yamagata International Documentary Festival

- Phillip CHEAH (Singapore) / Director at Singapore International Film Festival

The 10th PIFF

- Dieter KOSSLICK (Germany) / Director at Berlin International Film Festival

- Thierry FREMAUX (France) / Director at Cannes Film Festival

The 11th PIFF

- Martial KNAEBEL (Switzerland) / Director at Fribourg International Film Festival

- Ken TERAWAKI (Japan) / Former General Director at Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan

The 12th PIFF

- Sabrina BARACETTI (Italy) / President of Udine Far East Film Festival

- Jean-Francois RAUGER (France) / Head Programmer of the Cinematheque Francaise

The 13th PIFF

- Richard PEÑA (USA) / Program Director of the Film Society of New York Lincoln Center, Director of New York Film Festival

[source: PIFF Official Homepage]

October 8, 2009

Source: Yonhap News

South Korea's largest int'l film event opens for nine-day run

By Shin Hae-in

BUSAN, Oct. 8 (Yonhap) -- The Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), one of Asia's largest film events hosted by South Korea, opened Thursday in this southeastern port city with top filmmakers and entertainers from in and out of the country.

Opening with "Good Morning President," a film by South Korean director Jang Jin and starring Korean Wave star Jang Dong-gun, the 14th PIFF is to feature 355 films from 70 countries through Oct. 16, the largest of the annual event to date.

"...President," the latest of comedy master Jang's creations on three fictional presidents torn between politics and their ethics, is the first local movie to open the event in three years.

Named after the city name Busan using the old Romanization system, PIFF was established in 1996 and has since grown into one of most influential film fests in Asia, focused on discovering new films and first-time directors from across the region.

"The Message," a lavish period spy flick about communists fighting against Japanese invaders, will close the event. Co-directed by Chen Kuofu and Gao Qunshu, the movie is praised as one of the most impressive Chinese films of the year by PIFF organizers.

Up to 98 films will premier during the festival, which will be held at six major theaters and art houses in Busan under 11 categories.

Along with existing prizes, including the 30-million-won (US$24,000) New Current Award and the 20-million-won Sonje Award for short films, PIFF has newly established the Flash Forward Award this year for emerging directors from non-Asian regions.

Oscar-nominated French director Jean-Jacques Beineix will head the jury for the New Current prize with South Korean cinematographer Kim Hyung-koo, Thai director Pen-ek Ratanaruang and Taiwanese actress Terri Kwan.

Various special programs have also been prepared to spice up the event, including retrospectives on Chinese action master Johnnie To and late South Korean directors Yoo Hyeon-mok and Ha Gil-jong.

Three representative works of South Korean actress Jang Jin-young, who died Sept. 1 at the age of 35 from stomach cancer, will be screened in a show of condolence for the late actress and her fans.

The Ani Asia section will screen nine animated feature films from countries including Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand.

Pusan Promotion Plan (PPP), a pre-market venue where promising filmmakers and producers meet with potential co-producers and financiers, will again open Oct. 11-14. Established in 1999, the PPP has played an important role in connecting young and little-known directors to funding sources from in and out of Asia.

Hundreds of film stars including Bryan Singer, the producer of Hollywood's "X-men" series, actor Josh Hartnett, Japanese auteur Masahiro Kobayashi and Italian director Dario Argento will be attending the event.

Expected to be visited by more than 200,000 people this year, organizers of PIFF also said they are on high alert for the fast-spreading Influenza A virus, setting up medical booths at all event locations and requesting prior cooperation from nearby hospitals.

hayney@yna.co.kr

(END)

October 8, 2009

[PHOTO] Ha Ji-won arrives in Pusan for film fest

Photographer : Lee Ki-bum | metro83@asiae.co.kr

기사입력 2009.10.08 15:16 최종수정 2009.10.08 15:19

Actress Ha Ji-won [Lee Ki-bum/Asia Economic Daily]

South Korean actress Ha Ji-won arrives at Gimhae International Airport in Pusan on October 8, 2009 to attend the 14th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF). She starred in summer blockbuster "Haeundae" which has attracted nearly 11.4 million viewers since its opening on July 22 to become the fourth most-watched film of all time. The disaster pic will show at the Korean Cinema Today - Panorama segment of the film fest.

Actress Ha Ji-won [Lee Ki-bum/Asia Economic Daily]

Photographer : Lee Ki-bum metro83@asiae.co.kr

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[PHOTO] So Ji-sub arrives in Pusan for film fest

Photographer : Lee Ki-bum | metro83@asiae.co.kr

기사입력 2009.10.08 15:38 최종수정 2009.10.08 15:38

South Korean actor So Ji-sub [Lee Ki-bum/Asia Economic Daily]

South Korean actor So Ji-sub arrives at Gimhae International Airport in Pusan on October 8, 2009 to attend the 14th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF). He will attend the red carpet event for the opening ceremony of the film fest later in the evening.

South Korean actor So Ji-sub [Lee Ki-bum/Asia Economic Daily]

Photographer : Lee Ki-bum metro83@asiae.co.kr

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[PHOTO] Lim Soo-jung arrives in Pusan for film fest

Photographer : Lee Ki-bum metro83@asiae.co.kr

기사입력 2009.10.08 16:18 최종수정 2009.10.08 16:18

South Korean actress Lim Soo-jung [Lee Ki-bum/Asia Economic Daily]

South Korean actress Lim Soo-jung arrives at Gimhae International Airport in Pusan on October 8, 2009 to attend the 14th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF). She starred in Thai film "Phuket" which will show at the Wide Angle - Short Film Showcase 3 segment of the film fest. The movie is directed by Aditya Assarat who has won several international accolades including the New Currents Award at the PIFF in 2007.

South Korean actress Lim Soo-jung [Lee Ki-bum/Asia Economic Daily]

Photographer : Lee Ki-bum metro83@asiae.co.kr

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[PHOTO] Lee Min-ho arrives in Pusan for film fest

Photographer : Lee Ki-bum metro83@asiae.co.kr

기사입력 2009.10.08 16:27 최종수정 2009.10.08 16:27

South Korean actor Lee Min-ho [Lee Ki-bum/Asia Economic Daily]

South Korean actor Lee Min-ho arrives at Gimhae International Airport in Pusan on October 8, 2009 to attend the 14th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF). He will attend the red carpet event for the opening ceremony of the film fest later in the evening.

Photographer : Lee Ki-bum metro83@asiae.co.kr

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[PHOTO] Sung Yu-ri arrives in Pusan for film fest

Photographer : Lee Ki-bum | metro83@asiae.co.kr

기사입력 2009.10.08 15:56 최종수정 2009.10.08 15:56

Actress Sung Yu-ri [Lee Ki-bum/Asia Economic Daily]

South Korean singer-turned-actress Sung Yu-ri arrives at Gimhae International Airport in Pusan on October 8, 2009 to attend the 14th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF). She starred alongside actor Jang Hyuk in film "Maybe" which has been invited to show at the Korean Cinema Today - Panorama segment of the film fest. The movie is set for a nationwide release on October 22.

Actress Sung Yu-ri [Lee Ki-bum/Asia Economic Daily]

Photographer : Lee Ki-bum metro83@asiae.co.kr

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

more pics...will add articles once they are available..

Good Morning President team: Han Chae-Young, director Jang Jin, Im Ha-Ryong, Go Doo-Shim

Kang Soo-Yeon

Jang Seo-Hee

Uhm Jung-Hwa

Seo Woo

Han Chae-Young

Han Ji-Hye

Park Sol-Mi

Go Eun-Ah

Park Hee-Soon

Choi Kang-Hee

Uhm Ji-Won

Kang Ji-Hwan

Yoon Kye-Sang

Choi Jung-Won

Jung Ryeo-Won

Lee Ha-Na

Naver/Daum

October 8, 2009

France to salute Jeon Do-yeon with cultural honor

Reporter : Ko Jea-wan | star@asiae.co.kr

기사입력 2009.10.08 14:21 최종수정 2009.10.08 14:21

Actress Jeon Do-yeon [Asia Economic Daily]

Cannes award-winning actress Jeon Do-yeon will receive an honor by the French government for her contribution to the country's culture, according to her agency on Thursday.

The 36-year-old actress will be presented with the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres medal on Saturday of the ongoing Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), announced N.O.A. Entertainment.

The award is one of the three levels of cultural order established in 1957 by the France's Minister of Culture and confirmed in 1963 as part of the National Order by President Charles de Gaulle.

Worldwide names including writer J.K. Rowling of the "Harry Potter" series, Hollywood movie stars George Clooney, Sharon Stone and Leonardo Dicaprio and South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun are preceeding recipients.

Jeon has received over dozens of top recognitions on both the small and big screen since her debut in 1990. She won her first international acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007, receiving the award for Best Actress in director Lee Chang-dong's film "Secret Sunshine".

Reporter : Ko Jea-wan star@asiae.co.kr

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

October 8, 2009

PIFF opening film "Good Morning President"

Jang Dong-Gun

Go Doo-Shim

Han Chae-Young

Festival director Kim Dong-Ho, director Jang Jin, Jang Dong-Gun, Go Doo-Shim, Im Ha-Ryong, Han Chae-Young

director Jang Jin, Jang Dong-Gun, Go Doo-Shim

director Jang Jin, Jang Dong-Gun

director Jang Jin

Jang Dong-Gun

Go Doo-Shim

Im Ha-Ryong

Han Chae-Young

Festival director Kim Dong-Ho

jinkzzmec · October 8, 2009

hello everyone... some goodies:

Kang Ji Hwan's arrival at Gimhae International airport for PIFF

do not hotlink please

credit as labeled

source:

http://kr.news.yahoo.com/service/news/shel...;newssetid=1352

October 8, 2009

Han Ye Seul in Busan Gimhae International Airport

Tonight Ye Seul will attended to 14th Busan International Film Festival

credit-Daum,mandalaywith@Iris,Han Ye Seul soompi thread

October 8, 2009

Han Ye Seul in Busan Gimhae International Airport 2

Tonight Ye Seul will attended to 14th Busan International Film Festival

credit-Daum,mandalaywith@Iris,Han Ye Seul soompi thread

October 8, 2009

Han Ye Seul in Busan Gimhae International Airport 3

Tonight Ye Seul will attended to 14th Busan International Film Festival

credit-Daum,mandalaywith@Iris,Han Ye Seul soompi thread

deka_if · October 8, 2009

2009.10.07

"President" ready to kick off PIFF

Poster of South Korean film "Good Morning President". [CJ

Entertainment]

The much-anticipated South Korean movie "Good Morning President" is set to give its premiere showing tomorrow, opening the annual Pusan International Fim Festival (PIFF) taking place October 8 to 16.

Several of the country's top actors including superstar Jang Dong-gun, Lee Soon-jae and Ko Doo-sim, headlined the film which comically portrays the duality existent in the lives of presidents as a normal human being versus a national leader.

In the comedy about three different presidents -- the nation's first and older leader President Kim Jung-ho agonizes over whether to donate his lottery winnings to his people as promised, the young President Cha Ji-wook is skillful and unprecedentedly handsome yet unmarried and female President Han Kyung-ja faces divorce.

Popular actress Han Chae-young and comedian Lim Ha-ryong took on supporting roles as characters close to the presidents.

Hit-maker Jang Jin, who also directed "The Spy" and "Guns & Talks" and produced "Welcome to Dongmakgol", helmed "President" set for a nationwide release on October 22.

Credits : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

Source : Asia Economic Daily

Woundedheart · October 8, 2009

you're welcome everyone

Red carpet 08/10

Jang Seo-hee

Byeon Jeong-soo

black couple fashion of Kim Yun three - Jang Mi-hee

Park Sang-min

cr on pic

deka_if · October 8, 2009

2009.10.08

Pusan Int'l Film Festival kicks off

Official poster for Pusan International Film Festival [PIFF]

The 14th Pusan International Film Festival officially kicked off today, opening with South Korean film "Good Morning President", starring Hallyu star Jang Dong-gun as one of the three presidents.

Asia's biggest film fest set a new record this year by showing a total of 355 films from 70 countries. And the number of movies making a world premiere and international premiere are counted at 144, also a new record for PIFF.

The opening ceremony, to be held 7 p.m. today at Haeundae Yacht Club, will be hosted by Korean actors Kim Yoon-seok and Jang Mi-hee and attended by some 150 actors and industry people from all over the world.

Korean stars set to attend the PIFF include Hallyu star Lee Byung-hun, Kim Yun-jin, Ha Ji-won, Ahn Sung-ki and Kang Soo-yeon. Some of Korea's top filmmakers, including Jang Jin and Lim Kwon-taek, are also expected to show up.

Foreign stars visiting Korea for the film fest include Hollywood actor Josh Hartnett, who will be promoting his new film "I Come with the Rain", Japanese singer and actor Kimura Takyua, British actress Tilda Swinton, Korea-American actress Moon Bloodgood and French director Costa Gavras.

The committee has also organized a section dedicated to Korean director Yoo Hyun-mok and actress Jang Jin-young, who died of stomach cancer last month. Three movies starring Jang -- "Sorum", "Blue Swallow", "Singles" -- will be shown while a special booth will display her personal belongings and videos.

The festival will close with Chinese film "The Message", directed by Chen Kuofu and Gao Qunshu, on October 16.

Reporter : Ko Kyoung-seok kave@asiae.co.kr

Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr

Source : Asia Economic Daily

Woundedheart · October 8, 2009

Kim So-yeon

Choi Kang-hee

Jeon Hye-bin

Yun - Cho Jae-hyun

cr on pic

Woundedheart · October 8, 2009

Ha Ji Won

cutie :wub:

Josh Hartnet- Lee Byun Hyun

Jang Dong Gun

cr on pic

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