From Folk Horror to Metal Noir

​The opening ceremony of BIFAN 

Prepare to embark on an enthralling and eccentric journey. The Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), which had its opening ceremony yesterday, is about to provide for the 27th time a safe harbor for all the film genres that are usually deemed too extreme, unconventional, or pulpy to be featured at most other festivals. An exhilarating treasure trove of cinematic experiences made up of 262 films from 51 countries will challenge the cinephiles’ imagination.  

The festival's opening ceremony left little time for moviegoers to warm up as they were thrust headfirst into the absurdist nihilism and poetic madness of Beau Is Afraid, the latest cinematic odyssey by Midsommar director Ari Aster. The director, who was there to introduce the film, said: “I heard this is the festival for weird movies made by sick and lonely people, so I’m happy to kick it off with a movie about a sad and lonely man.” 

​Ari Aster 

This year's edition pays tribute to on one of the most iconic actors in Korean cinema, Choi Min-shik, not only through a retrospective of his works but also with a commemorative booklet, an exhibition, and even a rare opportunity for fans to meet the actor himself. Present at the ceremony, he shared his thoughts on this honor: “Hearing that I was selected for this year’s actor’s retrospective made me looked back on my past life as an actor. There may be many embarrassing moments, just like revealing a personal diary, but I hope that this retrospective becomes a pleasant space for the audience to discuss my films and acting openly.”

​Choi Min-shik 

From there, BIFAN will invite audiences to an immersive exploration of the uncharted corners of the film world where the weird and the creative roam free, culminating in a thrilling finale with Sana, the latest by one of the precursors of the Japanese horror subgenre, Shimizu Takashi himself.

BIFAN's main event, the Bucheon Choice program, will present an electrifying selection of genre-bending films from across the globe, from the Cannes-acclaimed Tiger Stripes to the remarkable directorial debut of Kai Ko, Bad Education. Meanwhile, the Metal Noir will offer some treats for afficionados of science-fiction and dark comedy. For die-hard fans of edge-of-your-seat horror and hardboiled action, the Adrenaline Drive section will test your limits with a nerve-wracking selection.

The section Folk Horror: Lands of Cruelty, Beliefs of Terror will be a must see as it will provide a crash course on this up-and-coming sub-genre, while The Strange Homage section will showcase films from visionary directors and some less well-known gems brought back to life through the black magic of digital restoration.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the city of Bucheon, BIFAN will also treat audiences to a selection of timeless classics released in 1973, including the iconic American Graffiti and the legendary Bruce Lee film Enter the Dragon.

The 27th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival will run from June 29 to July 9. And for those in Korea who find themselves unable to attend in person, the festival offers online screenings on the streaming platform wavve, ensuring that no one will be safe from the thrills of BIFAN.

​Official poster