The 18th Korean Film Festival in Hungary took place from October 10 to 17 at the prestigious Corvin Cinema in Budapest, marking a significant milestone in Korean-Hungarian cultural exchange. This year's festival held special importance as it commemorated the 80th anniversary of Korea's national liberation, with organizers carefully selecting films that honored this historic achievement. The event brought together contemporary Korean cinema and historically significant works to showcase the breadth and depth of Korean filmmaking.
The festival opened with considerable fanfare featuring the award-winning historical drama "Harbin," which tells the compelling story of An Jung-geun, a prominent activist in the Korean independence movement during what is known as the Korean Spring. The film stars Hyun Bin, an actor who has gained considerable recognition and popularity among Hungarian audiences through his previous works. This opening selection perfectly aligned with the festival's theme of celebrating Korea's journey to independence and freedom.
The Fresh section of the festival highlighted contemporary Korean cinema, presenting audiences with the latest innovations in Korean filmmaking. Meanwhile, the Faces category spotlighted emerging talent by featuring works from three up-and-coming directors: Shim Hyeongjun, Oh Jung-min, and Kangyu Garam. All three directors participated in engaging post-screening CineTalks, providing Hungarian audiences with unique opportunities to interact directly with the filmmakers and gain insights into their creative processes and the Korean film industry.
The Focus section, which is dedicated each year to exploring a special theme, centered this year on Korean national liberation. This carefully curated selection presented a diverse range of films spanning different historical eras and genres, offering festival-goers a comprehensive look at how Korean cinema has portrayed the nation's struggle for independence and its aftermath. The variety ensured that audiences could appreciate both the artistic evolution and the consistent themes of freedom and national identity in Korean filmmaking.
Additionally, the Extra block treated audiences to award-winning films from the Jeonju International Film Festival, which served as both the official partner and sponsor of the Budapest event. The Bonus section featured a specially curated selection by the Hungarian organizers of the 15-year-old Korean Film Club, highlighting the long-standing appreciation for Korean cinema within Hungary's film community.
The festival concluded with the sequel to "Hitman," a film that originally premiered at the 14th Korean Film Festival in Budapest. The second installment proved to be a remarkable commercial success in Korea, achieving the distinction of becoming the third highest-grossing film in domestic Korean cinemas. This closing selection demonstrated the festival's commitment to showcasing both critically acclaimed and commercially successful Korean productions.
The 18th Korean Film Festival was organized through a collaborative effort between the Korean Cultural Center in Hungary and the Korean Film Council. The event received additional support and cooperation from the Jeonju International Film Festival and the Korean Film Archive, highlighting the international partnerships that make such cultural exchanges possible and sustainable.
