[26th BIFF] "Even Bong Joon-ho Reassured" Is the Busan Film Festival Well Managed for COVID-19 Prevention? [Focus]

Cannes and Busan Film Festival Resume
Cheers on the Red Carpet After 2 Years
Concerns Over COVID-19 Measures Remain

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Busan=Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] The sudden outbreak of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus infection) swept across the globe and lasted for two years. Epidemic viruses such as H1N1 and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) spread uncontrollably, taking lives and changing lives. When COVID first spread, many commonly recalled MERS. When the first domestic infection occurred in May 2015, some films scheduled for release postponed their dates by two weeks, so many expected the situation to last at most a month. The prediction was clearly wrong. We fought for two years, wearing masks and getting vaccinated as the year changed twice.

The film industry was hit hard. Theaters were classified as multi-use facilities. Since many people gathered to laugh, cry, eat, and drink, there was no other way. The domestic film industry experienced ups and downs. Films scheduled for release postponed their dates repeatedly. The losses were enormous. Completed films piled up like mountains. Films that were released with difficulty failed to avoid deficits. The overseas situation was similar. Some states in the U.S. closed movie theaters. Naturally, the main theater chains were empty.

This year, countries worldwide worked hard to secure vaccines and increase vaccination rates. In Korea, vaccinations began sequentially from spring. European countries that started vaccinations early found some relief. The Cannes Film Festival in France was the first to sound the fanfare.

Due to the pandemic, the Cannes International Film Festival had to cancel last year’s event but made every effort to hold it normally this year. In July, our publication visited Cannes, a southern French resort city near Nice, where the 74th Cannes Film Festival was held. We were the only media outlet from Korea to conduct on-site coverage. The festival resumed after 2 years and 2 months, marking the first festival after the pandemic. The world’s attention focused on whether the previously stalled film festivals would stretch their limbs again. Although no Korean films were nominated in the competition section, actor Song Kang-ho became the first male actor to serve as a juror, and Lee Byung-hun appeared as a presenter at the closing ceremony, marking a historic festival. Additionally, director Han Jae-rim’s film "Emergency Declaration" was invited to the non-competition section and screened locally.

The result was successful. People wondered, "How well will the quarantine be?" but the worries were unfounded. In fact, near the Lumi?re Theater in Cannes, it was surprising to see so few people wearing masks. The festival was flawless to the extent that concerns seemed unnecessary. The Cannes Film Festival overcame some skepticism and successfully digitized tickets and thoroughly managed access and quarantine.

This year, the Busan International Film Festival also lifted its curtains again after two years. Since its opening on the 6th, the Busan Cinema Center in U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, where the festival is held, has been bustling with university students, general audiences, and officials coming to watch films. We summarized the commonalities and differences felt while covering the successful Cannes Film Festival last summer and this year’s Busan Film Festival consecutively. We also noted differences such as local quarantine guidelines and vaccination rates between the two countries. (France’s vaccination rate was higher than Korea’s then and now.)

QR Code vs Safe Call

The Cannes Film Festival was strict. The entry procedures at the Lumi?re Theater and the main center, the Palais des Festivals, were very stringent. Previously, to prepare for risks such as terrorism, press badges’ barcodes were checked, and security inspections of bags and belongings were thorough. This year, in addition, entry was only allowed after verifying a negative COVID-19 test QR code (European Union Digital COVID Certificate), giving an even stricter impression. Before departure, we carried English certificates of vaccination at least 28 days prior and negative PCR test results from Korea, but these had no effect locally. Non-EU journalists, including Asian reporters, had to take saliva tests at a temporary screening clinic near the press center. There were no exceptions for actors, directors, guests, or jurors. Results came 5 to 6 hours after testing, and if negative, a QR code issued by the EU was provided. Although PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests could yield results in one hour, most opted for saliva tests.

Busan is somewhat different. It is more lenient. The Busan Cinema Center, which houses the main center Biff Hill and the outdoor theater, requires entry only after calling a Safe Call number and showing the received text message. Verification is needed only once per day. Compared to Cannes, where you had to scan a QR code every time you re-entered after leaving, this is more convenient.

At the opening ceremony, strict standards were applied. Only 50% of the approximately 1,200-seat outdoor theater was operated, with seats spaced apart. Furthermore, only those who had passed two weeks after vaccination or tested negative by PCR were allowed entry. All followed the quarantine authorities’ guidelines. The press was treated the same. Journalists dispatched locally were required to carry proof of vaccination at least two weeks prior or a negative PCR test result via text or document. Badges were issued only after verification.

A Busan Film Festival official told us, "All guests, including actors and directors on the opening ceremony red carpet, submitted vaccination certificates and negative PCR test results," adding, "All 228 festival staff underwent PCR testing regardless of vaccination status."

Unlike Cannes, which required vaccination and negative test certificates from all entering the center, including general audiences watching films, Busan Film Festival only collects phone numbers. In other words, Busan Film Festival does not require PCR certificates or vaccination proof from general audiences coming to watch films.

The Busan Film Festival expressed confidence that the city’s social distancing level 3 guidelines were well observed. An official said, "Except for the opening ceremony, guests attending only audience talks (GV) follow the theater’s quarantine guidelines. We do not uniformly check vaccination status or require test results but recommend quarantine measures. Everyone entering the center must call the Safe Call number on their mobile phones. Even actors and directors entering for events must call Safe Call without exception."

Quarantine is also conducted after all events. The official said, "After major events such as press conferences and GVs, disinfection and quarantine are carried out." How are the numerous volunteers gathered in Busan managed? The official said, "We thoroughly informed them of quarantine guidelines during the selection process. For those scheduled, we proactively enabled vaccination. Different guidelines were applied for those attending the opening ceremony and others. Staff participating in the opening ceremony were given the same guidelines as guests."

Online vs Offline Ticketing

At the Cannes Film Festival, it was common to see long lines in front of ticket booths or press members holding up messages on paper above their heads to get tickets. However, this year was different. The festival switched entirely to online ticketing, eliminating offline sales.

In contrast, the Busan Film Festival allows both online and offline ticketing. The ticket booth at the Busan Cinema Center operates from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and signing a consent form for the use of personal information related to COVID-19 is required to receive tickets. On the morning of the second day of the festival, upon entering near the ticket booth, lines maintaining distance between waiting people were marked. Volunteers were seen actively disinfecting while moving among the waiting seats. All wore masks while assisting ticket buyers. An official said, "Most tickets will probably be booked online. We expect mainly last-minute cancellations to be booked on-site."

Unlike last year’s scaled-down operation, this year’s Busan Film Festival showed determination to hold the event normally in accordance with quarantine rules. 223 films from over 70 countries are screened in 29 theaters across 6 venues, with only half of the seats operated in each theater. Last year, each film was screened only once, but this year, screenings will be 2 to 3 times per film as usual. Korean film GVs (audience talks) are all held on-site, while overseas films’ GVs are conducted both online and offline.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Main Guests: Mask Off vs Mask On

At both Cannes and Busan, masks were removed on the red carpet. However, indoor regulations for guests differed. This is due to differences in quarantine guidelines between Korea and France. At Cannes, all directors and actors wore masks indoors at the main center. Even jurors respected by Cannes wore masks during press conferences. Song Kang-ho was the same. He wore a mask during the press conference at the Palais des Festivals and screenings at the Lumi?re Theater. In contrast, at Busan, main actors and directors participating in press conferences and audience talks removed their masks and held microphones.

The Busan Film Festival explained that the rules differ. A festival official said, "All guests must wear masks until they go on stage and only remove them while on stage. They must wear them again when leaving. Except for these cases, masks must be worn. This is a measure complying with quarantine guidelines." He added, "Unlike last year’s 25% seat operation, this year we maintain 50%. Audiences sit with one seat spacing and watch films wearing masks in the theater."

North American and European journalists did not remove masks at the press center. Even when jury president director Spike Lee revealed the Palme d’Or, he adjusted his mask and laughed heartily. This was the same in Busan.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Glad to Meet in Person vs Their Own Festival

Most actors attending the festival expressed joy at the resumed film events. At the opening day press conference on the 6th, Park Hae-il said, "I can’t even remember when I last met many people through films," calling it a "precious occasion." Choi Min-sik also expressed special feelings, saying, "I missed and longed for it."

Actor Song Joong-ki, who hosted the opening ceremony, said, "I’m glad and moved to communicate with the audience after a long time. It’s a moment when the precious daily life feels grateful." Park So-dam added, "During the two years of COVID-19, not only the film industry but many people have suffered. I hope the festival brings comfort, consolation, and new hope."

Film professionals meeting face-to-face after two years smiled looking into each other’s eyes. They unanimously said, "We missed the moments of talking about films," proving how precious the occasion was. It seems to contain a desire for 'With Corona.' Expectations are growing whether the festival will serve as a gauge for returning to previous times.

Regardless of compliance with quarantine guidelines, voices of concern also emerged. Many actors appeared on the revived red carpet under the spotlight. Some criticized, "Are celebrities the only ones free from COVID-19 risks?" Others said, "It’s the fourth wave, so it’s hard for many people to gather," and "It’s unpleasant to see many stars standing in front of cameras without masks."

It remains to be seen whether the passionate enthusiasm of film professionals gathered in Busan will conclude with thorough quarantine. This year’s festival runs until the 15th.

Busan=Reporter Lee Isul

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.