JEONJU Cinema Project 2020, which celebrates its seventh year after transitioning into a feature film financing and production program in 2014, presents two new films and three films from past projects, which have been newly edited after the initial release. Here are the new films our critics are waiting for: PARK Kunyoung, director of A Distant Place and LEE Seungwon, director of Three Sisters. Both newcomers are received JEONJU IFF’s attention for their various expressions of independent films. They have been selected in the Korean Competition showing various aspects of independent films. Three sisters is a family drama composed of unique characters and unpredictable situations, and depicts the life journey of those living with wounds. The trauma of their family and society is revealed through three actors of distinct personality – MOON Sori, KIM Sunyoung, and JANG Yoonju. AFTERWATER is a story about a couple, who goes on a lake trip to observe insects, fish, plants and trees, suddenly connects to other characters’ walk by the lake. The film expresses the sense of space and time rather than the logical narrative using impressionism. A Distant Place describes the cracks in life caused by his lover and family who come to visit the protagonist that left for tranquil Gangwon-do to escape from people. The film displays the painful moment that he faces and wants to avoid at the intersection of life with a choice and life without a choice. Nevertheless, it shows the warmth of life that lasts with the power of life and care.
Thankfully, the films of JEONJU Cinema Project have been invited to numerous international film festivals and received constant attention. Among them, films that are completely refurbished from the initial editing and films with final versions that have never been released to the Korean audience will make public at JEONJU Cinema Project 2020. Isadora’s Children by Damien MANIVEL is a story about four women unfolding through the medium of Mother, a solo dance created by legendary dancer Isadora DUNCAN after losing her two children from an accident. This film conveys a touch of comfort based on subtle dialogue and events. In addition to the Best Direction Award in the International Competition section at the 2019 Locarno International Film Festival, the film continued its honor at various film festivals such as the San Sebastián International Film Festival and Mar del Plata International Film Festival. Moreover, when the film premiered in France, the film received great reviews.
After the release at the JEONJU IFF, Nona. If they soak me, I’ll burn them. by Camila José DONOSO presented its newly edited version at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York, and Tribeca Film Festival. This is a story of a 66-year-old female warrior Nona, who does not bend herself to anyone, committing arson and entering the twilight of her life. The film goes back and forth between the boundary of documentary and fiction. The screenplay was written based on the story of the director’s grandmother, and Nona, who made a personal appearance, passed away in a small seaside town where she lived this year. The Play by Alejandro Fernández ALMENDRAS is a story of a theater director adapting the Greek tragedy Phaedra. It focuses on the portrait of the artist who is struggling to overcome his messy personal life which has turned into like the play. After additional editing work for the past two years, the director’s edition will make public for the first time in JEONJU IFF 2020.
We deeply apologize for the situation of not being able to release the foreign films of JEONJU Cinema Project due to the difficultly in production and distribution caused by COVID-19. We hope that all films will get through this tough situation and safely meet the audience in the future.
Programmer Sung MOON
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