[PIFF] Diversity Key to PIFF's Future
Published on | Source
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
Directors of the Cannes and Sundance film festivals have suggested that the Pusan International Film Festival maintain its distinguishing characteristics, which have pushed its 10-year success.
"I really like the good selection of films showing in Pusan", said Jeffrey Gilmore, director of Sundance International Film Festival. "Seeing a variety of films here is one of many attractions".
Regarding the efforts of PIFF to open a film market, he said that it will boost Korea's film industry and won't excessively commercialize the festival. However, he emphasized the "diversity" of movies should be maintained as it has been in previous years.
Thierry Fremaux, artistic director of the Cannes Film Festival, also said that the festival has now become one of the most successful and influential festivals in the world as it has strong connections between directors, audiences, professionals and artists, but the festival should focus on keeping its own personality.
"The festival's goal can't be being like Cannes or other festivals. And I think it must be unique and different from other festivals", he told The Korea Times. "The most important thing is to know what you are and who you are", he said.
As they have run the two big film festivals, they also have seen the success and potential of Asian and Korean films, so they advise that the film industry in those regions should keep making efforts to be creative and innovative to continue the current success.
"Couple of years ago, African and Iranian films were often shown at festivals, but they have disappeared suddenly and now it is difficult to find them at festivals. And it can happen to Korean cinema, I think", Fremaux said, who has shown a great interest in Korean films.
Having paid his fifth visit to Pusan this year, he said what he is looking for here is something original and creative.
Gilmore also said that the recent success of Korean and Asian cinemas in the international market is due to their creativity.
To give an example, he said there are many Korean genre films but they are different from other genre films in Hollywood, which is why they are commercially successful, and interestingly enough, Hollywood is now trying to imitate Korean genre films.
But the balance between art movies and commercial films should be considered to maintain the diversity of movies, he added.
Staff Reporter
Directors of the Cannes and Sundance film festivals have suggested that the Pusan International Film Festival maintain its distinguishing characteristics, which have pushed its 10-year success.
"I really like the good selection of films showing in Pusan", said Jeffrey Gilmore, director of Sundance International Film Festival. "Seeing a variety of films here is one of many attractions".
Regarding the efforts of PIFF to open a film market, he said that it will boost Korea's film industry and won't excessively commercialize the festival. However, he emphasized the "diversity" of movies should be maintained as it has been in previous years.
Thierry Fremaux, artistic director of the Cannes Film Festival, also said that the festival has now become one of the most successful and influential festivals in the world as it has strong connections between directors, audiences, professionals and artists, but the festival should focus on keeping its own personality.
"The festival's goal can't be being like Cannes or other festivals. And I think it must be unique and different from other festivals", he told The Korea Times. "The most important thing is to know what you are and who you are", he said.
As they have run the two big film festivals, they also have seen the success and potential of Asian and Korean films, so they advise that the film industry in those regions should keep making efforts to be creative and innovative to continue the current success.
"Couple of years ago, African and Iranian films were often shown at festivals, but they have disappeared suddenly and now it is difficult to find them at festivals. And it can happen to Korean cinema, I think", Fremaux said, who has shown a great interest in Korean films.
Having paid his fifth visit to Pusan this year, he said what he is looking for here is something original and creative.
Gilmore also said that the recent success of Korean and Asian cinemas in the international market is due to their creativity.
To give an example, he said there are many Korean genre films but they are different from other genre films in Hollywood, which is why they are commercially successful, and interestingly enough, Hollywood is now trying to imitate Korean genre films.
But the balance between art movies and commercial films should be considered to maintain the diversity of movies, he added.
Advertisement