The 22nd Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has unveiled the 298 films from 75 countries that will be screened this year.
"I'm pleased to come to present you a rich program despite various difficulties," said BIFF executive director Kang Soo-youn. "The boycott is still under way and many problems remain unsolved. Nonetheless, I think this year's festival must be held. I'll take full responsibility and do my best to finish it. We have diligently prepared for the event in the belief that the festival should continue to go on at any cost in the future."
The Korean film "Glass Garden" starring actress Moon Geun-young will open the festival on October 12.
On the other hand, "Love Education," a movie by Taiwanese director and actress Sylvia Chang, will close the BIFF on October 21.
The Gala Presentation will showcase four films. These are "Butterfly Sleep" from Korea/Japan, "Mother!" from the US, "Narratage" from Japan and "The Third Murder" from Japan.
A total of 55 films will be shown in A Window on Asian Cinema including "The Brawler" from India, "Those Long Haired Nights" from the Philippines, "The Bold, the Corrupt and the Beautiful" from Taiwan, "The Tailor" from Vietnam, "Pop Aye" from Singapore/Thailand, "Before We Vanish" from Japan, "No Date, No Signature" from Iran and "Dragonfly Eyes" from China.
Korean Cinema Today and Korean Cinema Retrospective will present 35 Korean films including the hit movie "The Battleship Island: Director's Cut," "Mothers," "Method" and "Okja."
The World Cinema will showcase 45 films including "Diving" from France, "Beyond the River" from South Africa, "Battle of the Sexes" from the US and "The Summit" from Argentina.
Seventy-four works will be screened under Wide Angle including "667" from Singapore, "Away from Home" from Korea, "Finding Nemo" from the US, "Two Brothers" from India and "Madonna" from Indonesia.
Kang and BIFF chairman Kim Dong-ho against said that they will resign after the festival.
"There were many opinions in the film industry (about my future path), but I think my primary role was over with the amendment of the festival's bylaws and holding of the festival last year. I decided to quit with this year's festival in the judgment that I have no more reason to stay," said Kim.
The BIFF will run from October 12-21.
