JIFF 2013

Since 2007, the Jeonju International Film Festival has produced the Short! Short! Short! (숏!숏!숏!) series, a collection of 2-3 short films united by a particular theme. Each year, 2-3 talented Korean directors are chosen and given free reign to explore the theme in a manner of their choosing, yet for the 2013 edition each film-maker is connected through the works of novelist Kim Young-ha.

For this years installment of Short! Short! Short!, the directors selected are quite diverse in their respective approaches. Lee Sang-woo (이상우) is arguably the most prolific, responsible for often controversial films including Mother is a Whore (엄마는 창녀다), Father is a Dog (아버지는 개다), and Barbie (바비). Brothers Park Jin-sung (박진성) and Park Jin-seok (박진석) are credited with writing horror films Epitaph (기담) and Evil Spirit: VIY (마녀의 관), the latter of which saw director Park Jin-sung make his debut as a director. Finally, director Lee Jin-woo (이진우), responsible for Sundays in August (팔월의 일요일들) and several other successful short films, rounds out the selection. The film-making talent is quite diverse, and it will be interesting to see how each director takes on the work of Kim Young-ha in their own unique vision.

The Body

The Body

Directors: Park Jin-sung (박진성), Park Jin-seok (박진석)

Synopsis: The Body looks set to be an interesting interpretation of Kim’s The Last Visitor. The directors have a history in the horror genre and the story, which blurs reality and fantasy between three people on New Year’s Eve, has the potential to be a shocking short film.

Exit (비상구)

Exit (비상구)

Director: Lee Sang-woo (이상우)

Synopsis: No stranger to controversy, particularly in regards to sex and gender, director Lee Sang-woo’s adaptation focuses on a criminal fascinated with a tattoo located on his girlfriend’s genitalia, dubbed ‘the emergency exit’. Lee’s films are often polarizing so it will be interesting to see what he achieves with the material.

Waltzing on Thunder (번개와 춤을)

Waltzing on Thunder (번개와 춤을)

Director: Lee Jin-woo (이진우)

Synopsis: Adapting Kim’s The Lightning Rod, director Lee has created a romantic drama involving people who have been struck by lightning, focusing on central protagonist Mi-jung. The film promises to be one of the more quirky offerings in the category.