The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has unveiled its Korean Cinema Today and On Screen selections, with Na Hong-Jin‘s “Hope” among a nine-film lineup spanning Panorama and Special Premiere.
“Hope,” Na’s latest feature, drew global attention ahead of release on the strength of its large-scale production and a cast including Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Hoyeon, Taylor Russell, Cameron Britton, Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender. The film was selected in competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and will screen at BIFF as part of Korean Cinema Today – Panorama, which rounds out its six-title lineup with four world premieres.
Among the Panorama selections, “The World Before” marks director Yoon Dan-bi’s return to Busan with her second feature, following a 17-year-old girl navigating unfamiliar feelings across an island summer; the film will world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival before its Asian premiere in Busan. Yoon’s 2020 debut, “Moving On,” won four prizes at BIFF in 2019, including the Netpac Award. Veteran actor Kim Hye-ja returns to the screen for the first time in nine years in “Still Shining,” the latest from director Song Il-gon, whose credits include “Spider Forest” (2004), “The Magicians” (2006) and BIFF’s 2011 Opening Film “Always.” The Panorama slate also includes Hong Sung-min’s directorial debut “Sinner,” starring Jung Sung-il and Park Ji-hyun; Lee Yong-jae’s directorial debut “Ugly Duckling Ms. Maeng,” pairing Lee Sun-bin with veteran actor You Chea-myung; and Kim Joung-hoon’s ensemble mystery “Final Interview,” led by Cho Yi-hyun, Kim Jae-won, Shin Seung-ho, Kang You-seok, Kwak Dong-yeon and Bae Gang-hee.
