Park Chan-wook short invited to Edinburgh

A short film co-directed by Park Chan-wook and his brother Park Chan-kyong, “Day Trip (Cheongchul-eoram),” has been invited to the 67th Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF), one of the oldest running film festivals in the world.

The movie, showcased in December 2012, will be screened as part of “Focus on Korea,” a special section that offers an opportunity to explore Korean movies. This is Park’s second time to show in Edinburgh after the movie “Oldboy” in 2004. 

The 18-minute short features a special day between a master of pansori, Korean traditional vocal and percussion music, and his student. Taking place on Namsan Mountain in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, the film highlights the harmony of nature and Korean folk music. Song Kang-ho, who starred as a vampire priest in Park’s 2009 “Thirst,” plays a stubborn pansori master in the film. Jeon Hyo-sung, a 15-year-old actress who is also a pansori student, takes on the role of the master’s student.

“Day Trip” was originally released online last December as part of a movie project marking the 40th anniversary of Kolon Sport, an outdoor clothing brand.

EIFF will show 146 films from 53 countries including 14 world premieres, six international premieres and 10 European premieres. The festival this year will highlight films from Korea in a special section titled, “Focus on Korea,” screening movies ranging from mainstream commercial films to independent cinema. Featured films include, “Jiseul,” “National Security(Namyeong-dong 1985),” “Pluto (Myeongwangseong),” “The Berlin File,” and “Virgin Forest (Wonsirim).”

Within the festival, there are two small competition categories. Of those, Bong Joon-ho, the director of “Host” will head the International Feature Film Competition Jury and choose the best film with actress Natalie Dormer and film critic Siobhan Synnot. One Korean movie, “Juvenile Offender (Beomjoe Sonyeon)” is a candidate for the competition.

Swedish movies will also be highlighted at “Focus on Sweden” and new works by American independent directors will be screened at “American Dream.”

Edinburgh International Film Festival will be held from June 19 to 30.

By Lee Hyun-jeong (rene@heraldcorp.com)