JEONJU Cinema Project is a signature program of the JEONJU IFF that supports investment and feature film production with a new perspective. It is an active attempt to meet the spirit of the times and a program that reveals the identity of the JEONJU IFF to present a new vision within the dynamics of the film industry and aesthetics. This year, three new films will be introduced – HUG by Im Heung-soon, Outside Noise by Ted Fendt, and The Man with High Hopes by Min Hwan-ki.
HUG by Im Heung-soon is a project that starts with the question of how filmmakers are doing in this pandemic situation. Director Im, an artist and known for documentaries such as Factory Complex and Things That Do Us Part, listens to the stories of the filmmakers on how they are spending this period. Images filmed by various filmmakers around the world, personal stories, and their dreams were reconstructed into a single film. It is a work that allows one to see the reality and unconsciousness of filmmakers during the pandemic situation. We hope that by the time this film is released, we will be able to meet face-to-face and greet them with a hug.
Outside Noise by Ted Fendt is a film depicting the random relationships of young people who live in the city like a nomad in the digital age. Although Fendt is a young artist, he is a director with professional artisanship. He completed most of his work by hand using a 16mm camera and film. His films occupy a niche of their own as he only employs a small number of staff and creates their own small world during the production. From the perspective of continuing alternative and independent work, it can be said that this director aligns with the identity of JEONJU IFF.
The Man with High Hopes by Min Hwan-ki is a documentary about the beliefs and philosophy consistently pursued by the late politician Roh Hoechan, who never gave up his dream and devoted his life to progressive politics. This film highlights the unique viewpoint of Director Min, who established his presence with his camera that observed the creative worldview and the power onset in the history of Korean independent films through various documentaries and experimental films. We hope that this film will provide a small hope and a sign in this age of uncertainty.
JEONJU Cinema Project has supported independent and alternative films, and films with artistic ambition despite their low budgets. We will continue to discover more diverse voices through active attempts to meet the spirit of the times.
[Digital Short Films by Three Filmmakers - JEONJU Cinema Project]
JEONJU Cinema Project, which inherits the direction of Digital Short Films by Three Filmmakers started with the launch of the festival in 2000, has supported different perspectives of up-and-coming contemporary directors and innovative attempts. Back in 2000, Digital Short Films by Three Filmmakers was an omnibus film project that invited up and coming contemporary directors to produce one feature film each year using a new technology called ‘digital’ and a format called ‘short.’ Since it has expanded the horizon of film aesthetics with the involvement of European and Asian master directors including Clarie Denis, Bong Joon-ho, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, it has made great contribution for JEONJU IFF to establish its identity not only as a venue for introducing various films but also as a producer of creative films.
In 2014, a new era emerged with the production of feature films. Over the past six years, it supported 21 domestic and international independent art films including Korean films Alive by Park Jungbeom, The Avain Kind by Shin Younshick, Snow Paths by Kim Hee-jung, Our President by Lee Chang-jae, The First Lap by Kim Dae-hwan, Winter’s Night by Jang Woo-jin, Shades of the Heart by KIM Jong-kwan and foreign films Free Fall by György Pálfi, El Movimiento by Benjamin Naishtat, The Decent by Lukas Valenta Rinner, Nona. If They Soak Me, I’ll Burn Them by Camila José Donoso, The Play by Alejandro Fernandez Almendras, and Isadora’s Children by Damien Manivel.
(Sung MOON)
