[24th JIFF] Darden Brothers "We Learn About Korea Through Films, Many Master Directors"

Director Luc Darden [Photo by Yonhap News]

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"Korea is a country I came to know through films. There are many famous and great film directors. I wanted to see it with my own eyes, so I am happy to be here."

The masterful Dardenne brothers (Jean-Pierre and Luc) expressed their first impressions upon visiting Korea.

On the afternoon of the 27th, at the Jeonju Digital Independent Cinema in Gosa-dong, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, during the press conference for the opening film of the 24th Jeonju International Film Festival, the Dardenne brothers said, "All of our films have been distributed in Korea," and added, "I only knew Korea through films, but I wanted to come here in person on this occasion."

The festival had planned a special exhibition in 2019 featuring the Dardenne brothers and director Lee Chang-dong, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Dardenne brothers fulfilled their promise to visit Korea this year. Executive Committee Chair Jung Jun-ho responded, "We are grateful that these two excellent directors declined many other film festival invitations to come to the Jeonju International Film Festival in Korea," calling it "a family honor."

Known as masters beloved by Cannes, the Dardenne brothers have competed in the Cannes Film Festival competition section nine times and won the prestigious Palme d'Or twice for "Rosetta" (1999) and "The Child" (2005).

'Tori and Rokita' stills
[Photo by Yeonghwa Sajinjin]

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Their new film, "Tori and Lokita," received the 75th Anniversary Special Award at last year's 75th Cannes Film Festival and is being screened as the opening film of this year's Jeonju International Film Festival. It tells the story of African refugee boy Tori and girl Lokita, who have come to Belgium and become involved in drug trafficking. The film focuses on the siblings, Tori and Lokita, who want to protect each other, becoming each other's guardians as they live and struggle to survive.

Director Jean-Pierre Dardenne recalled, "I read reports that hundreds of children crossed into Europe and disappeared. It was an article about children vanishing into the shadows, with a bleak future." He added, "I got the idea because I thought it was impossible for young children to disappear in modern society."

The brothers emphasized the friendship between the two children. Jean-Pierre said, "I wrote the screenplay focusing on how far children's friendship can go." He continued, "I hope every viewer becomes a friend of Tori and Lokita. The purpose was to show two foreign children. After watching the film, I hope people think of 'friends'?not enemies."

"The protagonists are foreign children without parents. They are the most vulnerable group in society. I wanted to show the difficulties they face when standing before adults. Children have their own world and friendships, which are more noble than those of adults. The line in the film, 'If only I had a residence permit, I could go to school, and Lokita could work as a housekeeper,' ultimately conveys this message."

Pablo and Jolie, who played Tori and Lokita, were non-professional actors performing for the first time. Regarding their casting, Jean-Pierre Dardenne said, "Casting is ultimately a 'choice.' Choice determines all outcomes. I wondered if this experiment was a gamble. It was difficult at first, but the two actors performed well, so we overcame it quickly."

They completed the main sets with the help of actual police. Luc Dardenne said, "We built the sets with help from friends in the police narcotics unit. We were inspired by photos of gangs caught at marijuana cultivation sites. It is very similar to existing marijuana (cannabis) cultivation sites."

Directors Darden Brothers
Photo by Yonhap News

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The Dardenne brothers have worked on all their films together. Are there no disagreements? Luc Dardenne said, "We write the screenplay based on a framework we conceive together. We discuss and revise it while talking on the phone, and there are no problems from the start. We always want to make the same film." He added, "Maybe it's because we were born and raised in the same house."

He also commented on changes in the entertainment industry. Luc Dardenne said, "Charlie Chaplin was also part of the entertainment industry. Nowadays, I sometimes get the impression that the quality of films has declined, but above all, diversity is important. We must not forget to keep open a variety of films?from comedies that make you laugh out loud to those that leave a deep impression."

This year's Jeonju International Film Festival will screen 247 films from 42 countries (125 international and 122 domestic). There are 66 world premieres. The festival will meet audiences in 23 theaters across six venues in downtown Jeonju. Thirty-eight Korean short films will also be available on an online platform. The festival opened on this day and runs until May 6.

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