Bifan brings the fun to Bucheon

Korea’s largest annual genre film festival opened late Thursday in Bucheon, Gyeonggi, featuring 288 movies from 49 countries.

The 23rd Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (Bifan) runs from June 27 to July 7 under the motto “Love, Fantasy and Adventure,” with special attention to science fiction flicks.

The Asian premiere of Mexican director Edgar Nito’s “The Gasoline Thieves,” which narrates a realistic story about the fuel-stealing phenomenon in the Central American country, opened the film festival.

The closing film is Korean director Ko Myoung-sung’s mystery thriller “The 12th Suspect,” featuring a murder investigation which touches on guilt, ideology and opportunism in the post-Korean War era.

Eight films, including “Abyss: The Girl’s Eye” by Chang Hyun-sang and “Lapse” by Chae Soo-eung, will vie for prizes in the Korean Fantastic section.

Ant Timpson’s “Come to Daddy,” Talal Selhami’s “Achoura” and 10 other movies were invited to the Bucheon Choice competition, aimed at highlighting new trends.

Actress Kim Hye-soo will adorn the festival’s special silver-screen star section. Her 10 best movies, including “Tazza: The High Rollers” (2006) and “Default” (2018) will be screened during the period.

The opening ceremony of Bifan was shown live for the first time this year on SBS.

Yonhap