KOR
The 30th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) is gearing up for an unforgettable edition with an unprecedented lineup of programs and a stellar list of special guests.
Among the most highly anticipated events are the 'Master Classes,' offering attendees a rare chance to meet Asia's legendary genre masters. Following the film screenings, exclusive Master Classes will feature director Yuen Woo-ping of this year's opening film 'Blades of the Guardians,' legendary Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike, and leading Asian genre icons Josie Ho and the Pang brothers. Takashi Miike is set to visit Bucheon with 'Ichi the Killer,' which returns in a stunning 4K version to mark its 25th anniversary, while Josie Ho and the Pang brothers will present their new occult thriller 'The Garbage-Collecting Mage.'
The festival's signature 'Mega Talk' sessions will put the spotlight on Korean cinema. First, to celebrate the milestone 20th anniversary of the legendary film 'Tazza: The High Rollers,' director Choi Dong-hoon and actor Yoo Hai-jin will sit down with the audience. Fans can look forward to hearing fascinating, behind-the-scenes stories about 'Tazza: The High Rollers,' a true masterpiece of Korean genre cinema that remains a viral sensation through memes and short-form videos today.
For 'Christmas in August,' director Hur Jin-ho and film critic Kim Hye-ri will engage in a warm, nostalgic talk with the audience. Meanwhile, the screening of 'Princess Aurora' will be followed by a Mega Talk featuring director Bang Eun-jin and the legendary actress Uhm Jung-hwa. Director Lee Joon-ik's short-form film 'Father's Home Cooking' will also be screened as a specially edited theatrical version at this year's BIFAN, followed by a Mega Talk with actor Jung Jin-young and other cast members. Additionally, a Mega Talk is scheduled with director Gavin Lin of 'Sunshine Women's Choir,' the Taiwanese remake of the hit Korean film 'Harmony' that soared to the top of Taiwan's all-time box office.
BIFAN's signature talk program, 'B My Guest,' is set to welcome an exciting lineup of stars. Rising K-pop girl group FIFTY FIFTY, visiting Bucheon this year with 'After School Exorcism Club: Girls' Night,' will share their firsthand experiences of taking on acting for the very first time. In addition, actors Kang Mi-na, Hyun Woo-seok, Lee Hyo-je, Kim Si-a, and Choi Ju-eun from the hit Netflix series 'If Wishes Could Kill' will gather to discuss the show's unique universe, its intense production process, and their respective characters.
In a highly anticipated meeting of action legends, director Yuen Woo-ping will join South Korea's premier martial arts director, Jung Doo-hong, for an in-depth conversation. Horror fans are also in for a treat with a special session where the original and its remake collide: director Jung Bum-shik of the terrifying Korean hit 'Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum' and director Anggy Umbara of its Indonesian remake 'Hospital 402' will hold a spine-chilling, horror-focused talk. Furthermore, insightful discussions with Korean feature animation directors are lined up, featuring director Hur Bum-wook of 'Pig That Survived Foot-and-Mouth Disease,' director Kim Bo-sol of 'Plaza,' and director Lee Yong-sun, who is bringing 'Office Sports Day' to Bucheon this year, as they share deep insights into their creative worlds.
'B My Genre' offers deep-dive talk sessions with industry experts. Following the screening of 'The Unjust,' film critic Kim Chul-hong and reporter Ra Je-gi will discuss director Ryoo Seung-wan's cinematic universe in a talk titled 'The Unjust and Ryoo Seung-wan Cinema.' Film critic Kim Bong-seok will also analyze the 1975 classic 'Plastic Beauty'—which was beautifully remastered this year—under the title 'Plastic Beauty, the Landscape of Grotesque Horror.' Additionally, for director Karim Aïnouz's 'Rosebush Pruning,' a special talk will be hosted by Celeb Matt, the popular host of the podcast 'Homeless Soul.'
BIFAN's academic and industry forum program, 'BIFAN's Quest,' will host seven forums this year. Women in Film Korea will look back on the history of Korean genre cinema with a session titled 'Allow Women Their Genres,' discussing female directors and genre films with the public. In collaboration with key organizations like the Film Festival Policy Forum, Filmmakers Solidarity, and the Korean Society of Cinematographers (CGK), various forums will explore crucial topics under titles such as 'The Future of Film Festivals,' 'Cinema After Cinema,' and 'From Mobile to Screen.' BIFAN will also partner with the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) to host discussions on revitalizing independent films and addressing screenplay credits.
At the 'FunFun Arcade'—an exciting new space ambitiously prepared by BIFAN this year to bring audiences and guests closer together—the open talk program 'Buman Talk' (Talk Met in Bucheon) will take place. A total of 16 'Buman Talk' sessions will run over four days from Sunday, July 5 to Wednesday, July 8, with four sessions scheduled daily. Fans can attend these sessions without any separate reservations at the 'FunFun Arcade' located on the 6th floor of CGV Sopung.
The landmark 30th edition of BIFAN will run from July 2 to July 12 across various venues in Bucheon, and reservations for these exciting program events can be made through the festival's official website.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.