[Dispatch | Busan = Reporter Jung Tae-yoon] Director Yeom Gyu-bok's process of making the film "Long Long Night" was, true to its title, a long long night.

An uncommon attempt at 3D animation based on source material. The production company also went through a difficult process before realizing the film adaptation.

Even after production was confirmed, investment did not materialize, and they took a break for a year and a half. And after many ups and downs, the film came to the world four years later.

It made its debut to global audiences at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival and was invited to the competition section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival.

Director Yeom Gyu-bok said, "The production process was truly a long long night. I slept deeply for the first time after the day I revealed it to audiences."

The "Long Long Night" team held a press conference at the Bifhall of the Hall of Film in U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan on the 9th. Director Yeom Gyu-bok and production company CEO Jung Gyeong-hee were present.

"Long Long Night" is director Yeom Gyu-bok's feature directorial debut. It is an animation depicting life and loss, solidarity and family, and the courage to live again.

It depicts the special journey of Noden, a white-rock rhinoceros. Noden lost all his beloved family and friends to human greed. By his side is an abandoned egg.

Despite the long long night of despair and isolation, Noden protects the egg. Finally, a baby penguin 'Na' emerges into the world. They spend a long long night looking for the sea where the penguin will live.

It is based on a children's book of the same name that won the Moonji Literary Prize for Children's Literature. Director Yeom said, "It was a book my daughter gave me. Actually, I was preparing a different series, but after seeing the book, I couldn't not do it."

He was captivated by an ordinary story. He said, "'Long Long Night' is a redemption narrative, but it is not typical. It is a metaphor for an ordinary citizen, not a powerful hero. I was drawn to those aspects."

He continued, "The source material is a children's book that people in their 20s and 30s enjoy more than children. I struggled with how to convey this emotion to audiences, and I had a dream and passion to do it no matter what."

However, the production process was not easy. Director Yeom said, "We fought a lot. The production company was reluctant, and I pushed forward in a 'long long night.' There was conflict between my ambitions as a director who wanted to show a lot with the budget and reality."

The source material has a calm and quiet atmosphere. The film added lighter humor and some action compared to the original. With the hope that not just adults but all ages would come to the theater, humor and action were added.

There are characters that didn't exist in the original. African wild dogs were added to introduce a villain. He explained, "I added them because it seemed the long road movie would come alive with a story of the villain chasing."

A woodpecker also appears newly. With exaggerated chatter, it becomes a small vent in Noden's long journey. Here, Chiku, Angabu, and Wimbo were also directed to act freely without restraining the tone of their voices.

He said, "I wanted Noden to have a low, thick voice, so I asked voice actor Park Ki-woo. I asked him to make it not too excited, polite, and well-mannered." He added, "The other supporting characters were set to sound gossipy and chatty."

Additionally, actress Suzy participated in the narration and OST. Through a connection from when he was a CF director, she lent her support. With her low and calm voice, she added a warm atmosphere to the film.

He said, "Suzy and I have a long history together since a cosmetics CF. I really hung on to that connection as an excuse." He added, "Surprisingly, she called back quickly without much hesitation."

He continued, "She is a big fan of the original work. Because of that, the directing process was comfortable with her adding her own interpretation with an open mind."

Although the source material is strong, the animation itself is outstanding. Recognized for its artistry, it was the only animation selected as a competition candidate at this year's Busan International Film Festival.

Director Yeom said, "To be honest, I didn't have high expectations when I submitted it, but (when I heard it was selected) I couldn't believe my ears. It was such an honor. The emotional burden was also great."

Regarding a memorable audience reaction, he said, "I remember the reaction of an exchange student at Toronto. He said watching this film healed him when he was lonely in a foreign land."

He recalled, "When he left the theater, he was holding tissues he had used to wipe his tears like this much. I thought it was popcorn." He said, "That white tissue stays with me longer than any compliment."

Director Yeom started as a CF director, became a children's book author, and presented his first feature film with "Long Long Night." He expressed hope to work across genres in the future.

He said, "I really like romance films, and I already have a completed work, and there's also a horror film. There are 2-3 series as well. I want to go back and forth across live-action and animation, regardless of genre."

Meanwhile, the Busan International Film Festival continues until the 15th. The winner of "Busan Awards Grand Prize," the top award in the competition section, will be eligible for submission to the U.S. Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.

<Photo = Reporter Song Hyo-jin>