Busan Film Fest to open with Bhutan movie

With less than a month to go until the Busan International Film Festival gets under way, the organizers held a press conference Tuesday to unveil the opening and closing films, as well as some details about the rest of the lineup.

Asia’s biggest film festival will kick off Oct. 3 with “Vara: A Blessing,” directed by Bhutanese monk Khyentse Norbu (also known as Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche).

The film is about a young Indian girl named Lila, a temple dancer who risks everything to pose as a model for Shyam, a low-caste boy who dreams of being a sculptor. The film is based on the short story “Rakta Aar Kanna” (Blood and Tears) by Sunil Gangopadhyay, and the scenario was written by Norbu himself.

Meanwhile, Korea’s own Kim Dong-hyun will close the festival on Oct. 12 with “The Dinner,” about a family facing a series of financial crises and other problems.

All told, 301 films from 70 countries will be screened, with a greater focus on non-Asian cinema.

BY CARLA SUNWOO [carlasunwoo@joongang.co.kr]