[31st BIFF] 'Good Films' to be Discovered by the 7-Member Competition Jury (Comprehensive)

Today (7th), a press conference for the competition jury was held.The 'Busan Award' will be presented in five categories for 13 Asian films.Director Zhang Yimou, who served as the head of the competition jury for the 31st Busan International Film Festival, said, "I hope that all Asian film festivals, including Busan, Tokyo, and Beijing, will continue to develop and succeed so that the world can recognize our excellence." / Busan International Film Festival Secretariat[THE FACT|Reporter Park Ji-yoon] A jury of seven, led by director Zhang Yimou, is ready to discover great films at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), Asia's largest film festival.The press conference for the competition jury of the 31st Busan International Film Festival was held on the morning of the 7th at the BIFF Hill of the Busan Cinema Center. The jury, consisting of director Zhang Yimou, who attended the event as the jury president, director Byun Sung-hyun, director Ishikawa Kei, director Jung Ju-ri, and Kazakh actress Samal Yeslyamova and Choi Hee-seo, answered questions from reporters and shared various stories.This year, the Busan International Film Festival achieved a remarkable feat by being selected as an 'A-list film festival' by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF), placing it alongside world-renowned festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, and Venice.Meanwhile, the competition section of the Busan International Film Festival, now in its second year, boasts an even more robust lineup based on its first year's success. This year, they will present the 'Busan Award' in five categories for 13 Asian films that exhibit both completeness and individuality. The winner of the 'Busan Award Grand Prize' will be eligible to submit for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, drawing significant attention to the results.Regarding this, Director Zhang Yimou stated, "The Busan International Film Festival is already an important film festival in Asia, and I believe it is becoming increasingly important. The international influence of Korean cinema is growing, and films from various Asian countries are also making strides. Therefore, I hope that all Asian film festivals, including Busan, Tokyo, and Beijing, will continue to develop and succeed so that the world can recognize our excellence."The 31st Busan International Film Festival will be held until the 15th at the Busan Cinema Center and various locations in Busan. / Busan = Reporter Park Heon-wooDirector Jung Ju-ri, who also became a jury member, shared her thoughts, saying, "Around this time last year, I was filming and hoping I could attend the Busan International Film Festival next year, and now I get to judge the competition section. It is an honor to watch films with such distinguished individuals."She added, "I believe the Busan International Film Festival is already a world-class festival. It is a unique festival for introducing Asian cinema to the world and discovering talent." She expressed her curiosity, "It is already world-class, but I wonder how it will develop and advance in the future."Choi Hee-seo, who will be presenting her film 'Bad Fork Park,' co-starring Son Suk-ku, and is now a jury member, has a particularly special meaning for this Busan International Film Festival.She confessed, "I wondered if I could even do it, but I felt that even if it were difficult, I could gain great learning experiences by working with the competition jury members." She expressed her firm determination, "I will approach this with a sense of responsibility, engage in active and in-depth discussions, and conduct a thorough evaluation."The jury members, who pledged to "find good films" at the opening ceremony held the previous day, are now ready to share their insights. So, what exactly do they consider a good film?Director Byun Sung-hyun explained, "There are various kinds of good films, and you can intuitively feel a bad film. Based on my experience, I will focus on films that are guaranteed to be impactful. I believe films that make it into the competition have overcome something that was blocking them, express themselves without reservation, and broaden human emotions."Choi Hee-seo stated, "A good film is one that doesn't provide answers but poses questions, and becomes another beginning when the audience leaves the theater. Recently, after watching 'Love Without a Cause,' I talked with my father for about five minutes in front of the theater. Through this, I learned about myself and my father, and what we think love is. While there are many aesthetically and technically excellent films, I believe a good film is one that helps you understand yourself and inspires a desire to become a better person."Director Jung Ju-ri, Tran Thi Bich Ngoc, Choi Hee-seo, Ishikawa Kei, Samal Yeslyamova, and Byun Sung-hyun (from top left, clockwise) will serve as jury members for the competition section along with director Zhang Yimou. / Busan International Film Festival SecretariatA question also arose regarding 'The Assassins.' This film traces the suspicions and behind-the-scenes of the assassination of the First Lady that shocked South Korea on August 15, 1974.'The Assassins' dominated the Chuseok holiday box office upon its release. However, some later raised concerns about historical distortion, citing scenes suggesting the involvement of former President Park Chung-hee or the Central Intelligence Agency in the incident. The film became the center of various controversies, with allegations of Chinese capital involvement also surfacing.As the controversy surrounding the film intensified, the production company eventually canceled its stage greetings and official schedule at the 31st Busan International Film Festival. They added that this decision was made after careful consideration of the potential impact not only on the film's participants but also on the audience and theater staff.Regarding this, Director Zhang Yimou commented, "It is difficult to find a definitive answer regarding the relationship between historical truth and creation in a short period. Creation is creation, and sometimes it is not based on truth or facts." He added, "In the film industry, we often say, 'Be based on life, but go beyond life.'"He continued, "However, I think we need to consider it from the audience's perspective. The question of whether historical truth itself is truly true is something to ponder. In a way, this might be the most interesting and attractive aspect of cinema."Director Jung Ju-ri, who has solidified her unique directorial style with films like 'A Girl at My Door' and 'Next Sohee,' also shared her thoughts. She said, "I have also met audiences with films based on real events, and films are made with fictional stories and characters, and this has never wavered for me. However, I feel intimidated even though it's not a film I made." She frankly admitted, "Even knowing that people can be hurt by films, I wonder what to do when such reactions occur."Director Jung emphasized, "Nevertheless, filmmakers must take full responsibility. We make films expecting criticism and seeking empathy from the audience, so I believe it is important to continue this work."The 31st Busan International Film Festival will be held until the 15th at the Busan Cinema Center and various locations in Busan.jiyoon-1031@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Desk | ssent@tf.co.kr]