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Spotlight on Busan, International Film Festival Kicks off

The 11th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) commenced on Oct. 12 its nine-day celebration of international cinematic achievements.

The opening ceremony, hosted by Korean movie stars Ahn Sung-ki and Moon Geun-young, was attended by some 150 actors, creating a frenzy of reaction from their movle fans. International and local stars walked down the red carpet and greeted thousands of their fans.

The festival will showcase a total of 245 films from 63 countries. Divided into ten sections (opening/closing, a Window of Asian Cinema, New Currents, Korean Cinema Today, Korean Cinema Retrospective, World Cinema, Wide Angle, Open Cinema, Critic's Choice, and Mid-Night Passion), these movies will be presented at 31 different theaters. Furthermore, 64 films will make their world premiers in Busan.

The opening film for the festival was selected as "Trace of Love" by Korean director Kim Dae-seung, featuring Yoo Ji-tae, Kim Ji-soo, and Uhm Ji-won. And on the last day of the festival, the movie "Crazy Stone" by Chinese director Ning Hao will close the event.

Boasting an impressive array of movie selections, the festival put a great emphasis on Asian films. Sections such as A Window on Asian Cinema and New Currents will feature more than 100 films by rising and veteran filmmakers in Asia.

'Korean Cinema Today' sub-categories, such as Panorama, Vision and Special Premiers, offer diverse representation of Korean films, showcasing independent films and the likes to be presented to the public.

This year, as a special tribute to French cinema, 10 classic and modern French films will be screened.

In order to make the experience more enjoyable, the festival has incorporated music concerts and meetings with celebrities prior to the movie screenings every evening from 7:30 pm at the outdoor theater in the Haeundae Yacht Center.

It is reported that a large turnout is expected, as tickets to much anticipated shows were sold out in just three minutes. Fortunately for the late comers, the organizers reported that 15 percent of the seatings of each show have been reserved to be sold at the event.

By Hoon Joo

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