Director Park Chan-wook's first opening film 'Can't Help It' has kicked off the Busan International Film Festival.
On the 17th, a press screening and conference for the opening film 'Can't Help It' of the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) was held at the medium theater of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan.
'Can't Help It' tells the story of a company employee, Mansoo (played by Lee Byung-hun), who feels satisfied with his life until he is suddenly fired. To protect his wife and two children and to keep the house he worked hard to buy, he prepares for his own war towards re-employment. It is based on the American novel 'The Ax'.
After being invited to the Venice International Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival this year, it has now opened the 30th Busan International Film Festival.
Programmer Park Ga-eun stated, "It is an honor to select 'Can't Help It' as the opening film, showcasing the strength of Korean cinema, with the participation of the best filmmakers of our time, including director Park Chan-wook and actors Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, and Yeom Hye-ran."
Director Park Chan-wook expressed, "Everyone knows that this is a project I have been preparing for a long time. It took a long time to complete the film, and I am overwhelmed to present it in my country. I am excited because it is the first time I am here as an opening film at the Busan International Film Festival, especially on its 30th anniversary. I will attend the opening ceremony with a nervous heart, wondering how it will be received."
Director Park Chan-wook continued, "When you watch this story, you will probably think of your own life and profession first. I also did not consider the paper-making job to be that important or significant while reading the original novel. However, the protagonists of this story say that the paper-making job is their entire life. My feelings about making films are the same as theirs."
He added, "Film may not seem like a significant help in life and could be seen as just a two-hour entertainment, but we pour everything into it and dedicate our lives to it. That's why I could easily relate to it. Even though I knew nothing about the paper industry, I felt like I understood it."
Director Park confessed, "It seems that the film industry is struggling right now, and especially in our country, recovery from the pandemic is slower than in other countries. When I ask people from other countries, it seems to be the case. However, I don't think we will remain in this state forever. I just hope our film can play a role in helping us get out of this swamp."
Lee Byung-hun stated, "I wonder if there has ever been a project that I anticipated and waited for this much after filming. This is my first time having my work as the opening film of the Busan International Film Festival, so I am even more excited and nervous."
Lee Byung-hun shared, "At the beginning, I didn't have any special mindset. I was just excited and thrilled to work with director Park Chan-wook again after a long time. I started with the expectation of how fun it would be to work together. The character is very ordinary and common. This ordinary person faces a big situation and makes an extreme decision to overcome it."
He continued, "As I executed that decision, I focused on the process of change and what the emotional state of an ordinary person would be in such extreme situations. It was a big task to think about whether I could convincingly show that to the audience."
Son Ye-jin expressed, "Personally, this film is my first in seven years. I am so happy to have the glorious opportunity to have my film as the opening film of the Busan International Film Festival. I will never forget today."
She also mentioned about director Park Chan-wook, "When monitoring, he caught even the slightest awkwardness or oddity in the actors' performances and movements with an eagle eye. After filming, he would show the monitor and discuss systematically. His eagle eye was incredible. I thought it was amazing to see that. It was a great experience."
Park Hee-soon said, "The more I worked with him, the more I realized that he values the basics, and in the process of making paper, he demonstrates a craftsmanship that overlaps with the intention of this work. This work also has our country's unique humor."
Yeom Hye-ran stated, "Director Park Chan-wook's language and perspective are so intense and original that there were many points of contemplation. I had a time to study again while re-watching the works he wrote."
Lee Sung-min reflected, "Playing the role of Beom-mo made me reflect on myself. If there were a technology that could replace actors, I think I would be replaced. That fear is the message of 'Can't Help It'."
Lee Byung-hun added, "I have seen the film twice, and each time I see different interpretations and scenes. I understand why the direction was so detailed. There is a clear reason to watch the film in theaters. It would be better to see it in theaters than to watch it at home on TV during next year's Chuseok special."
This year's Busan International Film Festival will be held until the 26th at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan.
[Yang So-young, Star Today Reporter]
