Singapore's Glen Goei at 14th PIFF

PIFF Jury Hopes to Discover Future of Asian Cinema

Discovering the future of Asian cinema.
That seems to be the theme here at the 14th Pusan International Film Festival where 12 up and coming Asian directors from 11 countries are currently competing for the "New Currents Award."
While it is always important to present something fresh jury members say what they will be looking for this year are films that give a preview into the future of Asian movies.


[Interview : Pen-ek Ratanaruang
Thai Director & New Currents Award Jury Member] "I'm hoping that this will be the filmmakers who would at last give us some kind of signals that what cinema will be like in the future."

And for the winners of the New Currents section, there will be a 30-thousand US dollar prize.
While Busan is recognized as playing a pivotal role in promoting Asian films and new talent, a director from Singapore, who's taking part in the festival, says Korea, in general, has been surprising the region's filmmakers with its outpour of outstanding works.


[Interview : Glen Goei, Director from Singapore
] "The films which are coming out from Korea are so exciting and people outside Korea in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, we are all looking at Korean films and they have all been very inspired and encouraged by all the different variety of films which are coming out of Korea."

Now, here is a quick glimpse at movies that are gaining attention at this year's festival.
"Chengdu, I Love You" tells two love stories that span over a 52-year period centered around the city of Chengdu, China.
In the 1976 segment, a family deals with the after effects of a devastating earthquake.
The 2029 segment, centers around young rock musicians who meets in a Chengdu bar as they pursue their musical dreams.
The film is said to pay homage to the Sichuan Province city that was hit by a devastating earthquake last year.
Last, is a thriller called "I Come with the Rain" that revolves around an ex-Los Angeles cop turned private eye who travels to Hong Kong in search of the missing son of a billionaire.
The movie is garnering a lot of buzz due to its star-studded cast that includes Korean actor Lee Byung-hun, Japanese actor Takuya Kimura and Hollywood star Josh Hartnett.


[Reporter : Jang Ji-yun
jiyun.jang@arirang.co.kr] "From horror to documentary, over 300 films of diverse genres will be played across six theaters in Busan over the next eight days, so for those who are interested, make sure to come down before the 16th.
Jang Ji-yun, Arirang News, Busan."

OCT 09, 2009

Reporter : jiyun.jang@arirang.co.kr