Swiss films take Korea by storm
30.09.2008
“Vitus” by Fredi M. Murer was awarded the “Special Screening Prize” on 26 September at the 11th Pyongyang International Film Festival (North Korea). Held for the 13th time, the Film Festival held in Pusan, South Korea, between 2 and 10 October 2008 – one of the most important platforms for European films in Asia – is showing three Swiss films and co-productions. In the presence of cineaste Lionel Baier from the canton of Waadt, “Un autre homme” is being shown in the section “World Cinema”. The section “Play Forward” is showing “Salt of This Sea” by the Palestinian director Annemarie Jacir, a co-production by Thelma Film from Zurich. The drama “Nordwand” by the German director Philipp Stölzl, co-produced with Triluna Film from Zurich, is being shown in the section “Open Cinema”.
The International Film Festival in Pusan, essentially a showpiece for Korean and Asian films, is showing a selection of no less than 50 works from Europe. The European film industry is also strongly represented at the concurrent Asian Film Market (3 to 6 October), which plays a central role in the distribution of films to Asia. Along with 25 other events, Pusan is accredited by FIAPF, the international association of producers, as a “competitive feature film festival”. It has constantly featured striking productions from Switzerland in its programme, including “Utopia Blues” (2002) by Stefan Haupt, “Gambling, Gods and LSD” (2002) by Peter Mettler “Au sud des nuages” (2003) by Jean-François Amiguet, “Angry Monk” (2005) by Luc Schaedler, “Das Fräulein” (2006) by Andrea Staka, and “1 Journée” (2007) by Jacob Berger. “Die Salzmänner von Tibet” by Ulrike Koch premièred in Pusan in 1997.
In contrast to the international transmission of the festival in Pusan, the event in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang is orientated mainly towards the large indigenous audience. The prize awarded to the successful Swiss film “Vitus” was received by the Swiss SDC representative in North Korea, Käthi Zellweger.
Zurich, 30 September 2008
In contrast to the international transmission of the festival in Pusan, the event in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang is orientated mainly towards the large indigenous audience. The prize awarded to the successful Swiss film “Vitus” was received by the Swiss SDC representative in North Korea, Käthi Zellweger.
Zurich, 30 September 2008