Gurus of film society often say that “We have too many film festivals in Korea. After the success of the Busan International Film Festival, provincial governments tend to assume that local film festivals are lucrative business.” Indeed, we have quite a few international film festivals, small or large, including not only those in Busan, Bucheon, and Jeonju, but also the Seoul Chungmuro Film Festival and Asiana Short Film Festival.

Considering the numerous film events sponsored by provincial governments, it is not easy for a film festival to maintain public support and survive intensive competition. In fact, a few international film festivals hosted by some local governments ended up being liquidated after three years. In this age of intense competition amongst film festivals, one film festival draws our attention with its unique characteristics and significance. This is the DMZ Korean International Documentary Festival, which takes place in the Demilitarized Zone.

Marking its second year this year, the DMZ Korean International Documentary Festival is establishing itself as an event through which to express wishes for peace and mutual understanding in the DMZ, which still bears the scars of the Korean War. Seventy-four documentaries from thirty-five countries have been submitted for the festival’s two competition sections (international competition, domestic competition) and the four non-competition sections (World Spectrum, Special Focus, Issue 2010, DMZ Docs Project 2010, DMZ Image Camp).

The “world’s most peaceful film festival,” which takes place in Paju Book City and the Yimjingak Peace Area from September 9 to 13, was preluded by an official press conference held at the Seoul Press Center at 2 pm in August 10. This reporter visited the press conference to hear about the direction of the documentary festival this year.

In the press conference, Gyeonggi Province Governor and Organizing Committee President Kim Moon-Soo, Executive Committee President Jo Jae-Hyun, Executive Committee member Seo Yong-Woo, and programmer Gang Seok-Pil participated. Also in attendance were actor Yu Ji-Tae, who directed the trailer of the film festival, actor Oh Gwang-Rok, who appears in the trailer, and construction artist Yi Eun-Sook as well as actress Yi Ha-Nui and singer Bobby Kim, and Daesungdong Elementary School student Kim So-Yeon, who serve as publicity ambassadors for the event.

The press conference began with a screening of an opening film that introduced the documentary festival. This was followed by welcoming addresses by Governor Kim Moon-Soo and Executive Committee President Jo Jae-Hyun. After an introduction of the major events of the documentary festival, programmer Gang Seok-Pil reviewed the main programs and pictures of the event. Following the presentation of the main films, a trailer of the festival, which has drawn considerable public attention due to its direction by actor Yu Ji-Tae, was unveiled; Yu added his comments on the work.

(From left to right) Programmer Gang Seok-Pil, Gyeonggi Governor and Organizing Committee President Kim Moon-Soo, and Executive Committee President Jo Jae-Hyun

Governor Kim expressed gratitude in his welcoming address to Executive Committee President Jo Jae-Hyun, praising Jo’s professional guidance in leading the preparations for the festival. Kim added, “Mr. Jo has taken care of the artistic aspects of the event, which are beyond the ken of government officials.” He also promised support, saying, “The provincial government will focus on providing all necessary support, not intervention or interference, to the festival.”

Referring to the DMZ Documentary Festival, Governor Kim stated, “The central government plans to designate the DMZ area as a national park, and UNESCO is also on the verge of appointing the region as a World Cultural Heritage site.” He affirmed, “I will do my utmost to transform the DMZ from a scar of national division into a cultural field where the two Koreas and, by extension, the world, can communicate.”

President Jo Jae-Hyun noted, “The first festival garnered favorable responses despite the short period of time for preparations.” He also said, “The second festival has the same budget (KRW 1.26 billion) as last year. However, thanks to financial support from Paju Book City and the German Cultural Center, we have been able to create a festival that is larger in scale than last year.”

Kim Gwang-hoe, President of the Committee of Culture & Tourism of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly, celebrated the festival by saying, “We celebrate the second year of the DMZ Documentary Festival under the motto of peace, life, and communication.” He also promised support by stating, “Together with Governor Kim Moon-Soo, the members of the Committee of Culture & Tourism of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly will provide unreserved support to develop the DMZ Documentary Festival into an international film festival.”

Peace, the opening documentary directed by Kazuhiro Soda, is one of the four directors’ works from four different countries which were produced with USD 10,000 in financial support provided by the DMZ Documentary Festival Organizing Committee. Peace captures in long stable shots the daily incidents that the director’s father-in-law and mother-in-law experienced after they began social service. By observing the daily routines, the documentary successfully visualizes the three themes of the documentary festival: peace, life, and communication.

Then, the trailer of the festival, whose direction had been proposed to actor Yu Ji-Tae by President Jo Jae-Hyun, was disclosed to the public. It is reported that actor Oh Gwang-Rok participated in the production without pay by playing a role in the trailer. After post-production procedures are completed, the trailer will screened throughout the festival period.

Yu Ji-Tae directed the trailer based on his past previous experiences making short films. Yu said, “Although it may seem that I simply accepted President Jo’s proposal to make the trailer, I actually decided to direct the film because I believe the documentary festival has a special meaning and is important in our country.” Actor Oh Gwang-Rok, who played a role in the trailer without pay, remarked, “I am very happy to join such a significant film festival.”

Yu Ji-Tae who directed the trailer (right), and Oh Gwang-Rok, who appears in the trailer (left).

After the press conference, the publicity ambassadors appointment ceremony was held. Governor Kim Moon-Soo conferred appointment letters upon actress Yi Ha-Nui, singer Bobby Kim, and Daesungdong Elementary School student Kim So-Yeon.

Singer Bobby Kim offered his greetings, saying, “I am happy to participate in a meaningful film festival” “What I can do well is sing, so I will do my part to publicize the film festival by singing at the opening ceremony. ” Actress Yi Ha-Nui noted, “Staying in a foreign country, we can acutely feel the reality of a divided nation, but inside our country, we rarely have a chance to conceptualize that reality. ” She added, “I will do my part to publicize the reality of a divided nation and the importance of the reunification of Korea through this film festival. ” Kim So-Yeon, a student of an elementary school located within the civilian passage restriction line, affirmed that she would do her best to make the film festival known to other people.

Publicity Ambassadors of the DMZ Documentary Festival. Singer Bobby Kim, Actress Yi Ha-Nui, and Daesungdong Elementary School Student Council Vice President Kim So-Yeon.

During the festival, visitors can also enjoy subsidiary events like the DMZ Image Camp and I Love DMZ Docu Train. Documentaries as a film genre may be unfamiliar to ordinary film viewers, but the various festival events as well as the documentary works that express hopes for peace and mutual communication between the two Koreas will ensure an unforgettable experience for the education of children and the promotion of the reunification spirit among adults.  

< The 2nd DMZ Korean International DMZ Documentary Festival >  – Dates: September 9 yo 13, 2010  – Places: Cinus Ichae, Asia Center of Literary Publication Information, Borim Small Theater “Yeoreum,” Yemaek Art Hall, Unification Observatory   – Admission Fee: Free for Opening and Closing Ceremonies, KRW 5,000 per exhibition   – Homepage: www.dmzdocs.com

– Written by Yeo Yong-Jun | Photographs by Mi Gyeong-Ho

– Article Source: http://ggholic.tistory.com/1666