Asia’s largest film festival opens in South Korea

The main feature on Thursday was the world premiere of Indian director Mozez Singh’s debut, Zubaan, a coming-of-age drama about a young Sikh who finds his way in life through music.

Behind the scenes in Busan, there have been changes and controversy.

While BIFF has struggled with funding issues over the past year, Asia’s film industry as a whole is booming. It premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

“It’s windy and rainy but so many people have come here today”. The film alleged that the government’s rescue effort was poorly organized and executed, and that the country’s mainstream media uncritically relayed the administration’s claim to be doing all it could to save the missing, most of whom were high school students. The decision to have “Zubaan” as the opening piece clearly reflects the significance the festival has for promising Asian directors like Singh to gain worldwide recognition.

Taiwan’s Hou Hsiao-hsien and other legendary Asian filmmakers are among those celebrating the Busan global Film Festival’s 20th year.

“Zubaan” was the opening film of the festival on Thursday, marking it as the first time that a Bollywood musical was achieving the feat.

Eight films from 10 countries, including Korean director Lee Seung-won’s “Communication & Lies”, will compete in the “New Currents” section.

The films will be shown at 35 screens in six theaters across Busan.

A scene from Mozez Singh’s “Zubaan”, which will open the 20th Busan worldwide Film Festival on Thursday night.

“This is a super platform for any filmmaker and I wish all of us luck and the opening of many exciting new cinematic doors”, he said.

The team enjoyed an array of Korean delicacies at the ‪‎Yeylje restaurant with the BIFF Director. The central government later halved its subsidy for the film festival without giving a clear reason.