'Times of the Cinema' Project Film Sells Out at Busan International Film Festival

The project film 'Times of the Cinema,' created to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Cinecube, an art-house cinema operated by Tcast, has achieved sold-out screenings at the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).

The film's first screening on the 19th at Lotte Cinema Centum City's Hall 5, with approximately 200 seats, was fully booked, demonstrating its significant buzz. Following the screening, a 'Meet the Director and Cast' session allowed directors and actors to share the movie's message and engage in deep conversations with the audience.

The film, characterized by its artistic sensibility interspersed with moments of lighthearted humor, captivated viewers who found themselves laughing comfortably amidst the serious narrative. 'Times of the Cinema' is based on the philosophy that a cinema is not merely a screening space but a 'cinematic space' where audience life, emotions, and memories accumulate.

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Keon-hee attended the second official screening and Q&A session held on the 20th at the Busan Cinema Center's Cinematheque. The presidential couple expressed their keen interest in the film industry by participating in the post-screening discussion with the filmmakers and actors, highlighting the government's special affection for filmmakers and the film industry on the occasion of BIFF's 30th anniversary.

Furthermore, a successful stage greeting took place on the 1st at the Busan Cinema Center's outdoor stage, attracting around 2,000 attendees. Directors and actors shared their work's message, met with enthusiastic applause and cheers from the audience, fostering a festive atmosphere.

Cinecube, established from an idea by former Taekwang Group Chairman Lee Ho-jin, is a leading art-house cinema in Korea. Prioritizing artistic merit and social messages over commercial success, it has been central to screening independent and art films for the past 25 years. This project is particularly meaningful as it marks the cinema's first foray into becoming an active creator.

Jeong Ju-jeong, the project's executive producer, stated that the 'Times of the Cinema' anthology work, through collaboration with young creators, will serve as an opportunity to expand the social value of art-house cinemas and explore new production ecosystems in the film industry. Park Ji-ye, head of Cinecube team at Tcast, added that this anthology project is a meaningful endeavor to extend Cinecube's 25-year spirit with new creators, aiming to share with audiences the idea of a cinema as a place where memories, emotions, and inspiration intersect. Various projects celebrating Cinecube's 25th anniversary are planned throughout the year.

Cinecube, since its opening in 1999, has served as a cradle for independent and art films, making significant contributions to the Korean film industry. The 'Times of the Cinema' project not only commemorates Cinecube's 25-year history but also embarks on new ventures for the future development of film culture. Cinecube plans to continue offering diverse cinematic experiences to audiences through various curated programs and projects.