The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is preparing a cinematic celebration just as grand and dazzling as last year's milestone 30th-anniversary event.
During the official press conference for the 31st BIFF held on the 1st, the lineup of invited guests who will grace this year's festival was revealed. A massive wave of top Korean star actors, alongside internationally renowned actors from Hollywood and European cinema, has confirmed their attendance.
Festival Director Jeong Han-seok announced, "We hope to serve as a stepping stone for the continued resurgence of Korean cinema. Excellent works have been selected for the Korean cinema section, and a large number of filmmakers are expected to participate."
Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung, and Cho Yeo-jeong, the leading stars of "Possible Love", as well as Yoo Hai-jin and Lee Minho from "The Assassin(s)", will walk the opening ceremony red carpet. In addition, Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung, and Woo Do Hwan from season 2 of "Made In Korea", along with "The Blue Road" lead actor Son Suk-ku, will step onto the red carpet to celebrate their invitations.
Beyond the opening ceremony, the leading stars will visit the festival in accordance with screening schedules and event timelines. Actor Maggie Gyllenhaal, famous for "The Dark Knight" and "Secretary", will visit Busan for the first time in the capacity of a director rather than an actor. She received an invitation from BIFF as the director of her new film "Flesh Impact", created to mark the 100th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe's birth. Maggie Gyllenhaal has also been selected as the jury president for the Venice International Film Festival, which runs from September 2 to 11. After wrapping up her schedule in Venice, she plans to visit the Busan International Film Festival, a representative event of Asia, to create special memories.
Michelle Yeoh, who achieved the historic feat of becoming the first Asian actress to win the Academy Award for Best Actress, has also been selected as the recipient of the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award and will visit Busan.
France's beloved national actor, Isabelle Huppert, will visit Busan as her film "All About Corinne" has been invited to the Gala Presentation section. Isabelle Huppert, familiar to domestic audiences through her work in Hong Sangsoo's films, will visit Busan three months after attending the 30th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival last July. This time, she plans to make special memories by visiting Korea alongside her new film's director, Marc Fitoussi.
From the Greater China region, director and actor Shu Qi, who won the Busan Award for Director at last year's Busan International Film Festival, will visit Busan alongside leading Chinese actors Zhou Xun and Fan Bingbing.
Popular actors representing Japan will also gather in Busan. Led by Nagasawa Masami, artists including Emoto Tasuku, Kuroki Haru, Yokohama Ryusei, Yamazaki Kento, Matsushita Kohei, Sawajiri Erika, Maruyama Ryuhei, Nagayama Eita, Michieda Shunsuke, and Anzai Seirawill meet audiences during the festival period.
Additionally, SHUHUA of i-dle, who is taking on a new challenge as a film actor, alongside Michelle Mao and Jin Ha, who are expanding their active spheres between Asia and Hollywood, will visit Busan. Thailand's star Davika Hoorne will also meet Busan audiences once again.
Park Ga-on, Deputy Festival Director, shared, "Stars representing Asia are visiting Busan this year as well. Last year, a large number of top Japanese male actors attended, and people said it felt like watching the Japanese Academy red carpet. This year, there are many female actors. While it was not intentional, it naturally came about as we invited works. Alongside film screenings, we have also prepared various stage greetings featuring the stars. Please look forward to it."
The 31st Busan International Film Festival will take place from the 16th to the 15th of next month around the Busan Cinema Center and Nampo-dong districts.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)