Jeonju in the Spotlight
The Film Festival Begins
By Julien Laheurte
“Beyond the Frame“
Mark you calendar from Wednesday, May 1 to Friday, May 10for the celebration of the seventh art, filmmaking, at the 25th edition of the Jeonju International Film Festival (Jeonju IFF). This year, the Jeonju IFF is set to dazzle audiences with a lineup of 232 films hailing from 42 nations, all ready to be projected at five theaters around the city.
Under the banner of “Beyond the Frame,” echoing last year’s slogan, Jeonju IFF aspires to “expand the realm of film as an art form based on new methods of expression and borderless imagination” by spotlighting movies that challenge conventional film formats and screening techniques.
Thus, Jeonju IFF operates as a platform for independent filmmakers, particularly young emerging talents not only from South Korea but also from across the globe. This year, the festival will showcase a mosaic of movies, with contributions from diverse corners of the world, including Hungary, Argentina, French, and Ukraine. Jeonju IFF also places a significant importance on short films, with a competition especially curated for that category.
From the 232 films selected for the festival, I’ve singled out three that have captivated my attention.
Laheurte’s Picks
All the Long Nights
Location: Sori Arts Center
Date: May 1
Time: 19:30
Country: Japan
My first selection, All the Long Nights, is nothing less than the opening movie of the festival. Shot by the Japanese film director Sho Miyake, All the Long Nights follows the story of Misa, a young woman with Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), which severely affects her professional and social life. Forced to leave her job due to her condition, she finds solace in a small optical company, where she meets Takatoshi, a man tormented by panic disorder. Together, they embark on a journey of mutual support, confronting their inner demons and striving for personal growth.
Junkyard Dogs
Location: CGV Jeonjugosa 7
Date: May 5
Time: 13:30
Country: France
“Dog” and “Mirales” are two lifelong friends residing in a quaint village located in the south of France. Jobless and bored, they pass their days playing video games, hanging out with friends, and doing small-scale illegal activities to get by. However, their routine is disrupted when Elsa, a young Parisian, arrives in the village for the summer. Her presence shakes up the tranquility of the bromance shared by the main characters, prompting them to reflect on their future.
Oxygen Station
Location: CGV Jeonjugosa 7
Date: May 4
Time: 20:30
Country: Ukraine
Set in 1980, USSR, Oxygen Station portrays the true story of Mustafa Jemilev, a Crimean Tatar activist exiled to a Siberian settlement for his protests against Soviet government control in Ukraine. Forced to work at an oxygen station, Jemilev strives to maintain contact with his fellow independence comrades. This historical drama sheds light on Jemilev’s dedication to advocating for the political and ethnic minority to which he belongs, despite the challenges and hardships he faces.
The Author
Julien Laheurte is a French literary translator who has been residing in South Korea for the past two years. After the completion of his master’s degree in Seoul, he moved to Gwangju with the intention of delving deeper into the history of the May 1980 democracy movement. His goal is to translate literary works that shed light on this pivotal moment in Korean history.