The 25th JEONJU International Film Festival X Korean Film Archive

Re-wind: Korean Film Archive in JEONJU

- Special Focus of 25th JOENJU IFF X KOFA 50th Anniversary

- From the 1950s to the early 2000s, explore the evolution of Korean cinema at a glance

- First 4K digitized screenings of Blossom Again, Virgin Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, and Barking Dogs Never Bite

The JEONJU International Film Festival (JEONJU IFF, Festival Co-Director MIN Sungwook and JUNG Junho), in collaboration with the Korean Film Archive (KOFA, Director KIM Hong-Joon), which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, will present the Special Focus Re-wind: Korean Film Archive in JEONJU.

Founded in 1974 and celebrating its 50th anniversary, KOFA is a public institution that archives Korean film and video heritage. KOFA collects, preserves, restores, and utilizes key materials derived from the filmmaking process, including Korean films, screenplays, and posters.

The 25th JEONJU IFF will collaborate with the KOFA to present the Special Focus Re-wind: Korean Film Archive in JEONJU.

Re-wind: Korean Film Archive in JEONJU

(Source: KOFA)

Re-wind: Korean Film Archive in JEONJU consists of four films screened at the JOENJU IFF, four films from the '50/50' program selected by KOFA for its 50th anniversary, and two representative films by the recently deceased directors Kim Sooyong and Lee Dooyong. First, KOFA selected classic Korean films from 1950 to 1980. Starting with The Widow (1955) by Park Nam-ok, the first female director of Korean cinema; Piagol (1955) by Lee Kangcheon, which is considered to be the root of the Jeonbuk film industry; The Money (1958) by Kim Sodong, who is considered to be an example of Korean realist cinema; and The Flower in Hell (1958) by Shin Sang-ok, who was noted for his ahead-of-his-time sensibility. Also, screening will be Mist (1967) by Kim Sooyong and The Hut (1980) by Lee Dooyong, both masters of Korean cinema who passed away last December and January.

Re-wind: Korean Film Archive in JEONJU

(Source: KOFA)

Four films from the early 2000s by Korean filmmakers that JEONJU IFF has discovered and supported will also be screened. The films include Hong Sangsoo's masterpiece, Virgin Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors (2000), one of the director’s most acclaimed films, featuring a stunning performance by actress Lee Eunjoo; Bong Joon Ho's debut film, Barking Dogs Never Bite (2000), which garnered him international acclaim for his unique style; Jung Jiwoo's Blossom Again (2005), which has garnered him a strong fan base for his poetic emotions in each of his films; and Ryoo Seungwan’s debut feature, Die Bad: 4K Remastering (2016), which launched the career of Korean action star Ryoo Seungbum. Virgin Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors (2000), Barking Dogs Never Bite (2000), and Blossom Again (2005) will be screened in 4K digitized versions for the first time at the JEONJU IFF.

In addition, a Special Focus introduction video by Kim Hong-Joon, Director of the KOFA, and Min Sungwook, Co-Director of the JEONJU IFF will be released on the official YouTube channel of JEONJU IFF. The Program Events will be held during the festival to celebrate the 25th JEONJU IFF and the 50th anniversary of KOFA, connecting the history and present of both organizations. A Co-Director Min Sungwook said, "I hope it will be an opportunity for people to look at the masterpieces of Korean cinema again and discover new emotions that they didn't realize when they first encountered the films.”

Meanwhile, with the highly anticipated Re-wind: Korean Film Archive in JEONJU, the 25th JEONJU IFF will be held from May 1 (Wed) to May 10 (Fri) at the Jeonju Film Street in and around Jeonju.