U.S. university partners with Korean film fest

By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, Nov. 11 (Yonhap) -- Chapman University in California is partnering with
one of Asia's most renowned film festivals to showcase Korean movies in the
United States, the school said Wednesday.
The university's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts will feature 12
contemporary and classic films from South Korea's Pusan International Film
Festival, including Cannes hit "Thirst" by Park Chan-wook and Na Hong-jin's "The
Chaser."
"The event marks an unprecedented venture to introduce the culture of Asia's
largest film festival to an American audience," Dodge College Dean Bob Bassett
said on the school's Web site.
"Chapman Pusan West provides a new platform for Korean filmmakers looking to
break into the American market and seek true co-production opportunities with
Hollywood," he added. "We hope to reach an audience that often gets overlooked
and widen the choice of films available to cinephiles and the general public
alike."
Kim Jung-yoon, a spokeperson for the film fest -- which is held in Busan but
takes its name from the older spelling of the port city -- called the partnership
a "joyful step forward" into the world of U.S. cinema.
"Chapman University first requested for the partnership, expressing hopes of
better-introducing Korean films at the event," Kim said. "We are happy and
honored."
Director Park, who won the third-highest Jury Award at this year's Cannes
International Film Festival, will be honored with Chapman Pusan West's first
Pusan West Icon Award.
Widely known in the United States for "Joint Security Area" and his so-called
"vengeance trilogy," including Cannes-winning "Oldboy," Park will also conduct a
masters class where he will discuss writing and directing with Chapman students.
Other filmmakers invited to the event include Kim Jee-woon of "A Bittersweet
Life" and Park Jin-sung of "Evil Spirit: VIY." The event will also hold a
retrospective of veteran Korean filmmaker Lee Doo-yong, who created "First Son"
and "Last Witness."
Dodge College already has developed strong ties in South Korea through its
partnership and student exchange programs with the Seoul Institute of the Arts.
The Pusan film festival was established in 1996 and has grown into one of the
largest film events in Asia since.
This year's event took place Oct. 8-16, screening some 355 films from 70
countries, the largest event up to date. More than 170,000 people visited the
event, according to organizers.
The Chapman Pusan West Filmmaker Showcase will be held every year at Marion Knott
Studios on the school's campus, screening this year from Nov. 20-22.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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