Sana
dir Takashi Shimizu; with Hana Amano, Akari Hayami 23/Japan ***.
J-horror and J-pop collide in this riotous Japanese freak-out, which uses generous doses of dry comedy to hold the interest as the plot deliberately resists making much logical sense. It's astutely directed by horror maestro Takashi Shimizu to play on primal fears while also putting the members of a boy band through their paces, stalked by a malevolent ghost that uses music as a hook. So even if it's neither very scary nor original, there's plenty of fun along the way.
dir-scr Sudeep Kanwal; with Rajshri Deshpande, Nishank Verma 23/India ***.
Subverting the underlying themes of most procedural police thrillers, this Indian film has some sharp things to say about female roles in society. With unusual complexity, writer-director Sudeep Kanwal and lead actress Rajshri Deshpande create a central character who defies the cliches. This remarkably conflicted woman knows all too well what she's up against and how to get what she needs. Her moral compass might be slippery, but there's a reason for that. And taking this journey with her is compelling.
dir-scr Inu Baek, Werner du Plessis; with Im Ji-sub, Oh Jun-taek 23/Korea ***.
Reflecting a society that is still rather terrified of an open discussion of sexuality, this gentle Korean drama follows two young men who struggle to admit to each other, their friends and themselves that they belong together. And this crippling fear is matched by the somewhat timid filmmaking style. This will make the movie feel rather belaboured for inclusive audience members, especially as the story descends into chasms of angst, but the film's heart is clearly in the right place.
dir Min Chae-yeon; with Lee Dong-won, Byeon Seong-tae 23/Korea ***
Adapted from the Korean TV series, this comes from the BL (Boys' Love) genre of male-male romantic fiction that is directly targeted at teenaged girls. While it feels oddly childlike for Western audiences, it's also relentlessly adorable, packed with cute actors playing tormented young men struggling against inevitable romance. It's also unwaveringly gay, with a refreshingly matter-of-fact approach to the characters' queer sexuality mixed in with some deeper social themes relating to pop culture.
2 7 T H B I F A N A W A R D S
Sorcery by Christopher Murray
Bucheon Choice: Best Director
Superposition by Karoline Lyngbye
Bucheon Choice: Jury's Choice
The Artifice Girl by Franklin Ritch
Bucheon Choice: Audience Award
The Artifice Girl by Franklin Ritch
Best Korean Fantastic Film
Iron Mask by Kim Sung Hwan
Korean Fantastic Best Director
Risk Society by Kim Byung Jun
Korean Fantastic Actors
Jung E-seo in Her Hobby
Jang Seongbeom in Abroad
Korean Fantastic Audience Award
Abroad by Giovanni Fumu
Korean Fantastic: Special Mention
Unknown Narrative: Skyrocket Junipers Under the Crescent by Yang Gun-young
Netpac Award
Hungry Ghost Diner by Cho We Jun
Nonghyup Distribution Award
Her Hobby by Ha Myung-mi
Watcha's Pick for Korean Fantastic
Iron Mask by Kim Sung Hwan
Méliès International Festivals Federation Award: Best Asian Film
Best Regards to All by Yuta Shimotsu
Odd Family Awards
Battery Mommy by Jeon Seungbae
Burger Song Challenge by Kim Min-ha
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