Busan Film Festival, 315 Films on Screen..."From Masterpieces' New Works to Animation"

[Dispatch=Lee Myung-joo] The Busan Film Festival has revealed its major invited films.

The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) will be held from the 6th to the 15th of next month at the Busan Cinema Center and surrounding areas. A total of 315 films will meet audiences during the festival period.

The competition section has selected 14 films representing Asian cinema. This is the second year since its establishment last year. The films will compete for the 'Busan Awards Grand Prize.'

Films produced not only domestically but also from various parts of Asia and Europe, including Japan, China, Taiwan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, and France, have been invited.

Three Korean works have advanced. These include director Lim Ha-yeon's "That Day's Tae-ju," "The Razor" directed by Kim Jung-hoon, and "A Very Long Night" directed by Yeum Gyu-bok.

"That Day's Tae-ju" is director Lim's debut film. It tells the story of a woman who fled to a beach resort because of rumors and, after having her fortune read at a fortune teller's, encounters an unfolding series of events.

"The Razor" is a horror thriller that director Kim has released some 13 years after "Stray Dogs." Actors Noh Jung-ui, Kasamatsu Sho, Byun Yo-han, and Ryujin of ITZY appear in the film.

"A Very Long Night" is a 3D animation based on a same-titled bestseller. It depicts the journey of a white rhinoceros and a young penguin searching for the sea.

New works by acclaimed filmmakers will also be introduced through the 'Icon' section. These include 35 films such as director Lee Chang-dong's "A Possible Love" and director Hong Sang-soo's "Nowhere to Turn."

The diversity of Korean cinema will also be explored through the 'Korean Cinema Today' section, showcasing director Na Hong-jin's "Hope" and director Yoon Dan-bi's "First World," among others.

Additionally, Christian Mungiu's "Fior," which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and "Suddenly It All Seems Worse," directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, a recipient of the Best Actress award, will also be screened.

Meanwhile, the opening film of the Busan Film Festival is "Day and Night are Each Other's" directed by Kim Jong-kwan. The opening ceremony that follows will be hosted solely by actor Kim Min-ha.