MOVIE
'Dutch', Saudi Arabia's Red Sea International Film Festival Film AlUla Audience Award
The Red Sea International Film Festival, held in the coastal city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is Saudi Arabia's first film festival and has become a major film event in the Middle East. The Red Sea International Film Festival, now in its third year, was held for eight days from November 30th and was the largest ever, screening 125 films and series from around the world and selling more than 40,000 tickets.
The movie 'Hwaran' was invited to the Festival Favorites section, which invites works that attracted attention at that year's global film festival.
“The fact that ‘Dwaran’ won the Film AlUla Audience Award is another example of the love and passion that Saudi Arabian audiences have for Korean films and culture in general,” said Kaleem Aftab, director of foreign film programming at the Red Sea International Film Festival. He added, "K-POP groups are already enjoying explosive popularity in Saudi Arabia, and now the close ties between Korean and Saudi Arabian tastes are clearly visible in movies."
In addition, he commented, “‘Hwaran,’ a film about the inability to control one’s own destiny amidst a whirlwind of violence, has universal themes and is at the same time a genre film with style and stability,” and “it was a hit among audiences at the Red Sea International Film Festival.” “It’s no wonder ‘Hwaran’ proved so popular.”
Director Kim Chang-hoon, who won the Film AlUla Audience Award at the Red Sea International Film Festival following leading domestic and international film festivals such as the Cannes Film Festival and the Busan International Film Festival this year, said, "I couldn't hide my bewilderment when I heard the news of winning the Audience Award. Especially because the audience chose this film. “It’s even more special that you gave it to me,” he said, adding, “I’m grateful to the Saudi Arabian audience. Above all, I’m grateful to Hong Sa-bin, Song Joong-ki, Kim Hyeong-seo, and all the actors and staff who made this movie together.”
The movie 'Hwaran' is a noir drama depicting the story of a boy, Yeon-gyu (Hong Sa-bin), who wants to escape from the hellish reality, meets the middle boss of an organization, Chi-geon (Song Joong-ki), and joins them in a dangerous world.
Choi Ji-ye, Ten Asia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr
