The 26th Jeonju International Film Festival Reveals "Again, Towards Democracy" Section
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Lee ByungJae(2025-04-13 08:55:22)
- Screening of 6 documentaries covering political situations in 6 countries worldwide
The Jeonju International Film Festival (co-executive directors Min Sung-wook and Jung Joon-ho) has unveiled a section titled 'Again, to Democracy,' expressing hopes for the restoration and continuity of Korean democracy.
Programmer Jeon Jin-soo stated, "After December 3, 2024, Korean democracy faced a crisis, and it is uncertain how long the confusion and aftermath will persist." Following the recent impeachment decision of President Yoon Suk-yeol by the Constitutional Court on the 4th, this section seems to reflect the desire for the recovery and continuity of democracy in Korea.
In this section, six documentaries covering political crises in six countries worldwide, similar to Korea's experience of the martial law incident on December 3 last year, will be screened.
First, director Ramona S. Diaz's 'Sparks of Philippine Democracy' depicts the Filipino people's resistance against former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was arrested in March on charges of 'crimes against humanity,' and his authoritarian regime, organizing a 'popular movement for a better future' alongside then-Vice President Leni Robredo, who ran for president, reflecting the people's movement in the Philippines.
Similarly, Hind Meddeb's 'Sudan, Remember Us' showcases the Sudanese citizens who took to the streets in 2019 to oppose the 30-year military dictatorship, focusing on young women trying to break free from the shackles of a patriarchal society.
Marek Sulik's 'Slovakia's Hope, Zuzana Caputova' follows human rights lawyer Zuzana Caputova's resistance against corrupt power, leading her to become Slovakia's first female president, who, after giving up on re-election, states, "I did not come to rule, but to serve," and documents her five years returning to nature.
Among the screened documentaries, Steve Pink's 'The Last Republican,' Sandra Kogut's 'Records of the Brazilian Presidential Election,' and Fabienne Gringberg and Borge Schelanning's 'Norwegian Democracy' depict moments of crisis that democracy may face in an era of extreme polarization, reminiscent of the situation in Korea.
'The Last Republican' is a documentary about politicians who uphold their beliefs, recording the journey of Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger from his support for Trump's impeachment after the Capitol Hill attack on January 6, 2021, until the end of his term.
Similarly, 'Records of the Brazilian Presidential Election' covers the turbulent period in Brazilian politics starting from the run-up to the 2022 presidential election, including allegations of election fraud and the turbulent times following the inauguration of President Lula, involving attacks by far-right supporters on the parliament and the Supreme Court.
'Norwegian Democracy' is a documentary dealing with hate speech against Muslims in Norwegian society, illustrating the complex societal issues faced by Norwegian society due to the misuse of freedom of expression as a tool for spreading hatred and extremism.
