Written by: Elsa K. Varghese (4BALIB) and Muskan Kaushik (2BALIB)
Edited by: Aditri Ghosh (4BALIB)
Illustrated by: Parinaaz Bains (4BALIB)
Department of Liberal Arts, Christ (Deemed to be University), Bannerghatta Road Campus, organized a daylong Korean Film Festival on the 18th of October 2024. Liberal Arts in collaboration with the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Film Council had celebrated the culture through cinema and as a culmination of it all, ushering cross-cultural understanding.
The event began with an inaugural address by representatives from the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Film Council, who underscored the importance of cultural initiatives in strengthening diplomatic ties. Dr. Prerana Srimaal, Head of the Department of Liberal Arts, was extolling her guests warmly and educating them about the university's commitment to enhancing students' experiences through exposure to culture.
Three selected highly acclaimed Korean films gave a glimpse into storytelling brilliance across the country. The first film that was screened was Tunnel directed by Kim Seong Hun. The film, released in 2016, stars Ha Jung-Woo as the lead. It is a taut drama that tells the story of one man trapped in a collapsed tunnel that mirrors people's resilience and society through bureaucratic inefficiency. The strength of human endurance and bureaucratic inefficiency the film portrayed was very effective in moving the audience.
Next came the 2015 historical epic The Throne, directed by Lee Joon-Ik, starring Song Kang Ho was again a dramatically packed story about family, power, and tragedy. Coming and breaking up, this kind of tension between this king and son made a lasting impression considering the layers given to the characters with moral conflicts.
But the highlight of the afternoon was Jang Cheol-soo's Secretly, Greatly, released in 2013, stars Kim Soo-hyun, Park Ki-woong, and Lee Hyun-woo. It has great action, comic sensibilities, and emotional depth. The North Korean spies who go undercover to spy in South Korea tell a tale that echoes identity loyalty and sacrifice that rings loud with almost all its spectators. The movie’s humor and heartfelt moments created a memorable viewing experience, sparking discussions among attendees about its universal themes.
The film festival was entertaining and educational. Each was distinctly Korean but also universally relatable-from societal critique in Tunnel, to familial dynamics in The Throne and exploring identity in Secretly, Greatly. Such narratives reveal the depth and diversity of Korean film. Korean cinema has now become an essential part of global filmmaking. The films ended with a vote of thanks for the synergistic efforts of the people putting the film festival together. As part of this process, the festival has, therefore, served as a catalyst in shaping the common space for sharing, fostering cultural and intellectual affinities among learners, faculty, and cinema lovers.
Such festivals are valuable for promoting creativity among students and ideas to implement in academic projects and other initiatives. Diverse styles of storytelling inspire new thinking while organizing such events is a fantastic education providing skills for event management, teamwork, and communication.
It was truly a refreshing and thought-provoking experience for us as participants: the festival gave us the ability to delve into the rich culture of Korea, to learn more about the history of the country, societal issues, and artistic expression. They made us reflect on themes that cut across the entire cinematic venture, which reminded us of the power of cinema in bonding people together across borders and creating unbreakable ties between people.
The Korean Film Festival was an evident witness to the commitment of the Department towards enlarging the world and its cross-cultural exposure. Thus, through such collaborative deliberations, Christ University continues to enrich its academic and cultural fabric and prepares students to flourish in a borderless world.
Comments