Busan Film Festival to kick off with Netflix film 'Uprising' as opener

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Busan Film Festival to kick off with Netflix film 'Uprising' as opener

Published: 02 Oct. 2024, 15:32 Updated: 02 Oct. 2024, 15:37

The official poster of the 29th Busan International Film Festival [BIFF]

The 29th edition of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) will kick off on Wednesday at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae District, Busan.

Running through Oct. 11, BIFF will showcase a total of 278 films, including 54 Community BIFF selections. The film festival will open with the new Netflix action film "Uprising" and conclude with Singaporean director Eric Khoo's latest work, "Spirit World."

"Uprising" will be the first original film from a streaming platform to open the festival.

“We chose 'Uprising' as the opening film because of its widespread appeal. The platform for its release didn't affect our decision,” said Pak Do-sin, BIFF's co-deputy director, on Sept. 3 in a press conference.

Five films, including "Bogota: City of the Lost" by Kim Seong-je and the romance film "Hear Me: Our Summer" by Jo Seon-ho, will be premiered at the festival's flagship event, "Korean Cinema Today — Special Premiere."

Joining the films will be the second season of Netflix's hit supernatural thriller K-drama, “Hellbound.” The new season will feature Kim Sung-cheol as Jin-soo, replacing Yoo Ah-in, who was originally cast in the role but was unable to continue due to a recent drug scandal.

A still from BTS's RM documentary film ″RM: Right People, Wrong Place″ [BIG HIT MUSIC]

K-pop stars will add a touch of excitement to BIFF. The documentary "RM: Right People, Wrong Place," featuring BTS leader RM's album-making process and his eight-month journey before joining the military, will be screened on the outdoor screen of the Busan Cinema Center. It will be the first K-pop documentary film to be officially included in BIFF's Open Cinema section. RM won’t be at the festival, as he is currently serving in the military as part of the military band.

Hip-hop group Epik High will be at this year's BIFF with its special film, “Epik High 20 The Movie.” The film showcases the group's concerts held last year to celebrate the group's 20th anniversary.

Former B1A4 member Jinyoung and Twice's Dahyun will also grace this year’s BIFF with their latest film, “You Are the Apple of My Eye,” a Korean remake of the eponymous Taiwanese romantic comedy released in 2012.

BIFF 2024 will honor the late Lee Sun-kyun, the acclaimed actor from “Parasite" (2019), who was posthumously awarded the Korean Cinema Award at this year's festival. A special program will showcase six of his films and include discussions about his cinematic works.

BIFF, one of Asia's largest film festivals, is part of Busan Metropolitan City's inaugural integrated exhibition and convention project, Festival Shiwol. The festival, which began on Sept. 30, will feature 17 international events spanning six sectors: music, film, culture, food, business and technology through Oct. 8.