As a seasoned film critic with a penchant for international cinema and a soft spot for Asian narratives, I must say that this year’s Busan International Film Festival is shaping up to be an absolute gem! The diversity of stories, genres, and cultures on display is truly a testament to the vibrant and dynamic nature of global filmmaking.
18 books, comics (manga) and webcomics originating from countries other than Korea have been included in the list of offerings at the Busan International Film Festival’s Busan Story Market. These new additions will be alongside 29 Korean intellectual properties that were previously announced, as well as 30 Asian film projects chosen for the Asian Project Market.
The list of foreign IP selections encompasses ten titles from Taiwan, which range from drama and romance with hints of fantasy, thriller, and sci-fi, to six offerings from Japan – five books and one comic – delving into sci-fi, murder mysteries, time travel, stage magic, and genres not typically associated with French remakes in previous years. Two additional titles originate from France, one in the comedy genre and the other in historical romance, introducing a fresh perspective to previous years’ focus on French films for potential remake.
11 books, 8 webtoons, 6 web novels, and 4 stories have been selected for this year’s Korean IP section at the Busan Story Market. These submissions were narrowed down from a total of 237 entries by 110 companies. The selection process indicates a change in focus compared to previous years, with an increased emphasis on books and web novels over stories. The chosen Intellectual Properties (IPs) present unique characters and diverse storytelling across various genres, including human dramas that explore deep emotions, mystery period pieces, romantic dramas, film noir, horror, and psychological thrillers.
As a lifelong cinephile who has attended numerous international film festivals, I must say that the Asian Project Market is one of my favorite events to look forward to each year. This year, with a record-breaking 441 submissions and selections from 17 different countries or territories, it’s clear that the market is growing in popularity and influence.
Key points are “Nothing Happened,” the first fictional work from director Chan Tze-woon, who won multiple festival prizes for his 2022 documentary-fiction blend “Blue Island” depicting social and political evolution in Hong Kong, and “The Camford Experiment,” a coming-of-age story with a Korean American lead character, directed by Malaysian filmmaker Woo Ming Jin, renowned for “Stone Turtle.”
Kirsten Tan, a Singaporean director based in New York and winner of the screenwriting award at Sundance in 2017 with “Pop Aye,” is present at the market with her new project called “Crocodile Rock.” This production is being done by Tan Si En from Singapore, who also has another project, “Levitating,” selected for the APM. Wregas Bhanuteja, whose previous film “Photocopier” was screened at the New Currents section in 2021, is responsible for this second project.
Apart from well-known figures, Busan also welcomes back Iqbal H. Chowdhury, whose project “Dhakar Nagin” is a follow-up to his New Currents Award win last year. Additionally, Sotoyama Bunji makes a return with “Life Redo List,” having previously showcased “Soirée” at the festival in 2020.
Seven Korean projects are featured in the APM selection: “A Journey to Étretat” by Shin Suwon, “The Architectural Frame” by Jeong Beom, “The Flock” by Sohn Hyun-lok, “The Hellfire Club” by Shin Aga, “Ulaanbaatar” by Kang Donghun, “The Odd Marriage” by Jung Wonhee, and “Goodbye, Nursing Hospital” by Oh Seyeon.
The Story Market and APM are integral parts of Busan’s Asian Contents & Film Market, which is scheduled from October 5-8 at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO). Meanwhile, the 29th Busan International Film Festival will unfold from October 2-11, spanning a total of ten days, at the Busan Cinema Center and its adjacent locations.
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2024-08-21 07:46