29th Busan International Film Festival – Opening Film 2024

By Asian Film Festival on September 17, 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

Uprising directed by KIM Sang-man will open the Busan International Film Festival which will take place from October 2 – 11, 2024 in Busan, South Korea.

Uprising by KIM Sang-man – South Korea | 2024 – 126 minutes | World Premiere

Cheon-yeong is the personal servant of Jong-ryeo, the only son of a noble family with a powerful military background. The two are extremely close, having grown up together since childhood. Cheon-yeong longs to be free from slavery, and Jong-ryeo tries to help him. Unfortunately, however, the situation becomes complicated, and their relationship deteriorates. When the slaves of Jong-ryeo’s family rise up and kill the entire household, Jong-ryeo mistakenly believes that Cheon-yeong is the mastermind and vows revenge. After experiencing the Japanese invasion of Korea, Cheon-yeong as a righteous soldier and Jong-ryeo as a royal guard eventually face each other, each pointing their swords at the other.

Uprising is a work that director Park Chan-wook participated in as a producer and screenwriter, which made it already a hot topic from the time of its production announcement. Director Kim Sang-man, known for his directing talent in genre films, worked with outstanding production staff including those in cinematography, art, music, costumes, and makeup, to create a refined and powerful historical epic that brings out the best in every aspect. The harmonious blend of characters brought to life by the star-studded cast is also captivating.

The characters with various colors shine through the turbulent times: the swordsman, who, despite his slave origins, overflows with dignity and spirit; the warrior, who wavers between friendship and anger with complex emotions; the stubborn yet cowardly king; the loyal and brave righteous soldier; the compassionate and wise general; and the cunning yet capable enemy commander. Park Chan-wook’s humor, which often comes out instinctively rather than being hidden, is entertaining. The story, designed with intense conflicts and confrontations, is full of tension. Above all, the film progresses with unrelenting force from beginning to end, and that force is its most compelling charm. (JUNG Hanseok)

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