[BIFF 2023] Busan International Film Festival kicks off, overcoming administrative woes

Movies

Published: 04 Oct. 2023, 18:22 Updated: 05 Oct. 2023, 07:28

[BIFF 2023] Busan International Film Festival kicks off, overcoming administrative woes

Veteran actor Song Kang-ho welcomes attendees at the red carpet event of the opening ceremony of the 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) held at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae District, eastern Busan, on Wednesday. The 28th BIFF kicked off its 10-day schedule on the same day and runs through Oct. 13. [YONHAP]

BUSAN — The 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) kicked off Wednesday at the Busan Cinema Center and various other locations throughout the southern port city.

Program director Nam Dong-chul spoke during a press conference for “Because I Hate Korea,” the opening film of this year’s BIFF, and addressed the administrative issues that plagued the months leading up to this year's BIFF and explained the reasons behind the selection of the opening film.

The Busan Cinema Center was packed full of cinephiles Wednesday afternoon and evening as the festival commenced. The first event of this year’s BIFF was the screening of “Because I Hate Korea,” a film about a young woman who leaves her well-structured life in Korea behind and flees to New Zealand.

BIFF had been facing administrative problems up until this month as director Huh Moon-yung resigned in June, and the president of the festival Lee Yong-kwan also resigned due to the fiasco following Huh’s resignation. The festival is currently being held with two people filling in Huh’s and Lee’s positions — program director Nam Dong-chul and deputy director Kang Seung-ah. The woes that the festival had to overcome were addressed during the press conference Wednesday.

“We have had some serious problems leading up to this year’s festival, but I sincerely believe that the programs and events we have prepared that start today and goes on for the next 10 days will live up to everyone’s standards and what we have come to expect of the BIFF,” Nam said during the press conference at the main hall of the Busan Cinema Center Wednesday.

“Because I Hate Korea” was selected as the opening film because the organizers wanted to highlight a film that resonates with young Korean people, according to Nam and the director of the film, Jang Kun-jae.

“The film addresses what it means to live well and the fatigue of trying to live your best life,” Jang said during the press conference. “I think ‘Because I Hate Korea’ will speak to not just the Korean audience but also any young person who has faced difficulties trying to live up to others' standards.”

The 28th BIFF continues until Oct. 13.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]