COLOMBO: The Korean Film Festival 2022 organised by the Korean Embassy in Sri Lanka together with the Korea Film Council (Kofic) was inaugurated at the BMICH in Colombo on Friday,September 23.
This Festival held annually, was re-launched after a hiatus of two years due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The Korean Film Festival 2022 featured four Korean movies for three days from the 23rd to 25th of September 2022.
In conjunction with the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Sri Lanka this year, the grand opening of the Film Festival was held on Friday 23rd of September, in the gracious presence of many dignitaries including Hon. Speaker of the Parliament, Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers, Members of Parliament, Chief of Defence Staff, Governors, Secretaries, Ambassadors and diplomats, cultural dignitaries and media chiefs. Many of Korean residents who live in Sri Lanka also attended the event.
Hon. Dr. Bandula Gunawardana Minister of Mass Media and famous film-maker attended the opening ceremony of the Film Festival as the Chief Guest. The Veteran Actress Kala Keerthi Ms. Anoja Weerasinghe graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. Cultural icons, media personnel and many friends of Korea were welcomed warmly by the Korean Ambassador Santhush Woonjin JEONG at the grand reception of the Korean Film Festival.
Delivering the opening remarks, Ambassador Santhush Woonjin Jeong stated that, “For the last 45 years, Korea and Sri Lanka have shared robust and wonderful bilateral relations. Our ties have been strengthened by the people-to-people exchanges and cultural cooperation between our two nations. Celebrating the 45th anniversary this year, the Korean Embassy has organised a series of special cultural events like the Korean Lantern Festival, Quiz on Korea, K-pop World festival and Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Championship. This Korean Film Festival will also be an opportunity to bridge our two peoples together and allow Sri Lankans to enjoy a variety of Korean movies. As you know, the Korean movies and dramas have crossed national borders and received international recognition. The Korean Film Festival 2022 is composed of Korean movies featuring many internationally acclaimed actors and actresses. I hope that Sri Lankan audiences will enjoy the interesting roles played by world-famous Korean movie stars in the films at this Festival.”
Hon. Dr. Bandula Gunawardana Minister of Mass Media congratulated Ambassador Santhush Woonjin JEONG for the impressive launch of the Korean Film Festival and commended Excellency’s efforts to strengthen friendly bilateral relations between Korea and Sri Lanka and boost cultural links between the two countries that dated back to 5th century A.D. with people-to people exchanges. He stated, “I am particularly happy to be present on this occasion of sharing the rich cinema of the Republic of Korea with Sri Lankan fans as a person who is actively involved in the local cinema industry by way of producing several award winning films nationally and internationally. In my view Korea is a country to be emulated by countries like ours. All nations have a lot of learn from Korea especially on the giant strides the country has made in areas of modern industry, agriculture, technology, international trade, health and education in parallel to becoming one of the top countries of the world today. It has developed an entertainment industry that includes films and tele-dramas of global fame. When considering the extent and depth of enthusiasm and interest shared among Sri Lankans to watch Korean dramas starting from ‘Sujatha Diyani’ (Jewel in the Palace) that was telecasted on national television, I firmly believe that this Korean Film Festival 2022 will be an impetus in improving mutually beneficial relations between our two countries. I wish that Korean Film Festival 2022 will be a high success.”
Legendary Actress Ms. Anoja Weerasinghe extended her gratitude for inviting her for this great occasion. Representing the Sri Lankan Film Industry, she appreciated the personal interest the Korean Ambassador Santhush has taken in organising the great film festival to the extent of selecting the most suitable films for Sri Lankan audiences to be screened at this Festival. “Korea is considered as one of the best film- making countries in the Asian region. I am sure that our film fans will embrace this great opportunity we got as a gift of love to enjoy four very beautiful Korean films on the big screen. The Korean Government has taken inspiring steps to enhance the qualitative value of Korean cinema and elevate it to international standards. Today, Korea is reaping the fruits of the Korean Government’s visionary measures to develop the Korean city Busan, as a hub for film production on an international scale. Presently, the Busan Film Festival is one of the premier international film festivals in the world.”
She further commented on the brilliant performances of the Korean actors and actresses that have garnered international recognition and rewards. Especially, Korean actors like Mr. Song Kang Ho, known for his performance in the movie ‘Parasite,’ won the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival. Ms. Yuh-Jung Youn won an Oscar for the best supporting actress for the film ‘Minari’ and Mr. Lee Jung-jae, won the Emmy Award for epic Netflix series ‘Squid Game.’ She highlighted that, “these international accomplishments are not easily acquired and it is evident that the sheer diligence, competitiveness and acting prowess of Korean actors and actresses are forces to be reckoned with in international cinema.”
The Korean Film Festival drew in many crowds over the weekend eager to enjoy an immersive Korean cultural experience through the medium of cinema. Many Sri Lankan viewers of all ages who attended the film festival thanked the Korean Embassy for organising this event and giving them a chance to experience the beloved Korean culture, history and art through cinema. The success of the Korean Film Festival is a symbol of the deep-rooted friendship shared by Korea and Sri Lanka. The Korean Embassy appreciates the presence of all attendees of the Korean Film Festival who contributed to its great success. As the Oscar-award winning Korean Director Mr. Boon Joon-Ho famously stated, “Once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.”
