Film festival dedicated to music gears up to kick off

Korea’s one and only music-focused film festival, the Jecheon International Music & Film Festival (JIMFF), will take place Aug. 11-16.

The festival’s organizers held a press conference Tuesday at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido-dong, western Seoul, to unveil the list of films to be screened.

“This year, we have prepared the highest-ever number of films,” said filmmaker Hur Jin-ho, who serves as the director for JIMFF, which is in its 12th year.

The film festival, which is partially competitive, opens with Brazilian film “The Violin Teacher” by Sergio Machado.

“The 2016 Rio Olympics is drawing near but the country still faces many social issues, mostly driven by gaps between the haves and the have-nots, and this film is a story about a man who wants to become part of an orchestra but in reality he teaches violin in the shantytown of Sao Paulo,” said Jeon Jin-su, one of the festival’s programmers, or people in charge of selecting films.

“You will realize how music soothes people and their soul while watching this film.”

JIMFF consists of seven categories, including Korean music films and family music films.

The festival’s signature, however, is its concerts.

“Unlike other film festivals, the best thing about JIMFF is that you can enjoy good films and concerts in the same place,” said director Lee Hae-young at the press conference.

The most well-known event at the festival is called One Summer Night, and it consists of Vivid Night (Aug. 12), Groove Night (Aug. 13) and Breeze Night (Aug. 14).

As part of the event, films are screened when the sun goes down at an outdoor theater located near Cheongpung Lake, and the screenings are followed by performances from musicians across a wide range of genres.

Vivid Night will feature Korean rock band Guckkasten and modern indie band Monni, Groove Night will star hip-hop trio Epik High and Breeze Night will show famed indie musicians 10cm and Junggigo.

Tickets for each night cost 30,000 won ($26.3), but those who buy online can get a 3,000 won discount.

For more information, visit www.jimff.org (English available) or call (02) 925-2242.

BY SUNG SO-YOUNG [so@joongang.co.kr]