Actor Son Ye-jin expressed her feelings about coming to Busan as the opening film of the 30th Busan International Film Festival.
On the afternoon of the 17th at the Busan Cinema Center, the 30th Busan International Film Festival (abbreviated BIFF) premiered No Other Choice (director Park Chan-wook, distributor/provider CJ ENM, production Moho Film/CJ ENM Studios) as its opening film in Korea for the first time. After the press screening, director Park Chan-wook and the film's leading actors Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min and Yeom Hye-ran attended and discussed the film with Park Ga-eon BIFF chief programmer.
On the honor of being selected as the opening film, director Park Chan-wook said, "I think everyone knows that this is a film I have been preparing for a long time. It took that long, and I am deeply moved to be able to present that film in Korea. Although the Busan Film Festival has been running for a long time, this is the first time I have come as an opening film, so I am excited. Moreover, since it is the 30th anniversary, I am even more excited. I am anxious about how the audience will receive it, and with a trembling heart I plan to attend today's opening ceremony," he greeted.
Lee Byung-hun also said, "I don't know if I match the director, but this is a film I waited for so long after shooting that I wondered if I had ever waited for another film like this. I checked whether any of my films had ever been screened as an opening film at the Busan Film Festival, and I found none. I am grateful and nervous to have my film selected as an opening film for the first time."
Son Ye-jin said with a smile, "I am also so happy that I have the honorable opportunity to have my film be the opening film at the Busan Film Festival. I am very excited to see it with general audiences for the first time. I am so eager to see how they will react. I think I will never forget today for the rest of my life."
Park Hee-soon wittily revealed his performance as the drunken Seon-chul in the film, saying, "I am ashamed to have shown an unbecoming drunken appearance in this beautiful city and in a beautiful film. But I couldn't help it. The director cast me as Seon-chul, so I did my best. I hope you had a good time. Thank you."
So what kind of city is Busan, which is hosting BIFF on its 30th anniversary, to film people? Director Park Chan-wook said, "I have shot almost every film, even if only some scenes, in Busan. Some films were shot more extensively there. Even when it didn't have to be Busan, I would force myself to include Busan scenes because it would feel wrong not to shoot there. It was the same this time. I like Busan so much that I often come down to stay. I spend long periods there while writing scripts. With the sea, the very complex urban landscapes, and all the scenery a film might need, I think Busan has everything. It has good food for living and charming nooks and alleys, so it's the best city for holding a film festival, making films, and writing screenplays."
Lee Byung-hun added, "I have shot many scenes in Busan since childhood. It seems to have many unique places. Looking at the locations we filmed this time, I felt like it was an island in the Mediterranean. We painted it in bright, saturated colors like a highland Mediterranean island and filmed with the sense of a very exotic neighborhood."
Meanwhile Son Ye-jin said, "I have also shot many films in Busan. Busan has a close relationship with movies," and laughed, "When I come to Busan I always have to eat Sangguk's tteokbokki. It's a beautiful place with many such popular eateries." Park Hee-soon also joked, "It's a city that makes me excited every time I come. Senior Seong-min once described Cannes as a small Haeundae, so it's a big and beautiful city that's good for filming. If you go a little further, Yeongdo has charming alleys and is a great place to film, so many filmmakers come here."
Above all, Lee Sung-min said, "Busan always excites me. It makes me more excited to film here. I recently visited Venice. Busan is the best," drawing laughter. Finally Yeom Hye-ran said with a smile, "It feels like a dream to be here with these people, and Busan has been symbolic for me. It's a place I've always wanted to visit for a film festival. As you will see in the film, Ara (the role) and I have similar aspects."
No Other Choice opens on the 24th, and the 30th Busan International Film Festival runs from today (the 17th) through the 26th around the Busan Cinema Center.
[Photo] Provided by CJ ENM.
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