Busan Film Festival 2025 Highlights: Emerging Female Korean Directors and Their Formative Films
Five Rising Korean Female Filmmakers Revisit Influential Films at Busan International Film Festival
The 30th edition of the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea is set to celebrate a significant milestone in September, and as part of the celebrations, five rising female filmmakers are set to screen classic Korean films that have shaped their artistic perspectives.
The five filmmakers, Kim Se-in, Kim Cho-hee, Yoon Ga-eun, Yoon Dan-bi, and Lim Oh-jeong, are making notable impacts within the Korean industry. Kim Se-in, born in 1992, made her feature debut with the film "The Apartment with Two Women" (2021). Although not yet household names, these women have already made a mark with their debuts.
Kim Se-in has selected Kim Tae-yong and Min Kyu-dong’s Memento Mori (1999), a cult classic and cornerstone of Korean queer cinema, for the retrospective screening. This film, about two high school girls uncovering a mysterious diary, is expected to offer insight into Kim Se-in's artistic perspective during the live discussion with the original film's director.
Lim Oh-jeong, known for Hail to Hell (2022), has chosen Jeong Jae-eun’s Take Care of My Cat (2001), a coming-of-age story about friendship and youth rekindled through an encounter with a stray cat. The live discussion promises a unique insight into both filmmakers and their careers.
The exact films chosen by Kim Cho-hee, Yoon Ga-eun, and Yoon Dan-bi have not been detailed, but it is noted that all five directors each select one influential film for the retrospective screening and the subsequent discussion.
This program, titled A Little History of Our Own, ‘Take Care of Our Future!’, bridges generations of Korean filmmakers by revisiting key films that have shaped emerging female directors, emphasizing their impact on the future of Korean cinema. The festival's expanded and revamped programme includes a new section called "A Little History of Our Own, 'Take Care of Our Future!'".
After screening their films, the directors will participate in live discussions with the directors of their selected works. The live audience will have an opportunity to watch Kim Se-in's chosen film during the festival and engage in the subsequent discussion. The films selected by the directors are all bona fide classics, presented for modern audiences to experience on the big screen.
The specific film that Kim Se-in has chosen for the live discussion has not been previously mentioned as a film that made a notable impact with its debut. However, it is expected that her selection will provide valuable insights into her artistic perspective. The festival is an exciting opportunity for both film enthusiasts and industry professionals to witness the impact of these classic films on the rising generation of Korean filmmakers.
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- The retrospective screening at the Busan International Film Festival features influential films chosen by five rising Korean female filmmakers, such as Kim Se-in's selection of 'Kim Tae-yong and Min Kyu-dong’s Memento Mori (1999)', which lies within the realm of movies-and-tv entertainment.
- As part of the festival's expanded program, "A Little History of Our Own, 'Take Care of Our Future!'", these filmmakers are delving into key films that have shaped their artistic perspectives, showcasing the importance of entertainment in shaping the future of Korean cinema.
