Song Kang-ho and Ye Ji-won Receive 'Etoile du Cinema' Award

Photo by Busan International Film Festival

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] French filmmakers lit up the night in Busan.

On the 8th, the "Night of France" event, hosted by the Embassy of France in Korea and UniFrance, was held at a hotel in Haeundae-gu, Busan. This is a representative cultural exchange event that supports friendly film exchanges between Korea and France at the Busan International Film Festival and serves as a meeting and exchange platform for Korean and French filmmakers. It was held for the first time in three years since the pandemic.

On this day, Song Kang-ho, who received the 'Etoile du Cinema' award, said, "I remember watching a film at the French Cultural Center in Anguk-dong when I was twenty. That was my first step into cinema. After 36 years, I am deeply moved to receive this award from France." He continued, "I am grateful to France for instilling the beauty of cinema and guiding me step by step on the path of film. I will continue to walk slowly and steadily as I have until now. This award will be a great strength. Thank you," he shared his thoughts.

Yejawon, who also received the award, said in French, "Thank you for giving me such a wonderful award. There are truly many things between France and me. I believe this is my destiny. I am even happier to receive the award together with senior Song Kang-ho."

Heo Mun-young, Executive Director of the Busan International Film Festival, said, "There are three directors I like in the history of cinema: Japanese director Yasujir? Ozu, American director John Ford, and French director Jean Renoir. Jean Renoir said in his autobiography, 'I would rather be a citizen of the cinema medium than a citizen of France.' I want to share his words with all the filmmakers here," he greeted.

Daniela Elsner, Director of UniFrance, said, "I came to Busan by train. I thought of the movie 'Train to Busan' while coming here, and I am very happy to attend the Busan International Film Festival. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Busan International Film Festival and the Embassy of France in Korea. I thank the Korean audience. I want to thank everyone who works hard for French cinema and shout 'Long live cinema!'"

Julien Katz, Senior Counselor at the Embassy of France in Korea, said, "I am pleased to hold the Night of France, which has shared tradition with the Busan International Film Festival, with so many people." He added, "We would like to start today's event by commemorating the late director Jean-Luc Godard. He was a pioneer of the Nouvelle Vague and one of the most influential filmmakers of our time. I think a chapter of history has now turned, but the history he created will remain forever. I want to express my gratitude to director Jean-Luc Godard," he paid tribute.

The Night of France, which has maintained a long-standing relationship with the Busan International Film Festival, is scheduled to light up the night in Busan again next year.

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