Theatrical Films Take a Boost…‘War and Chaos’ Breathes New Life into BIFF

The 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) kicked off with the Netflix film ‘War and Chaos’ (Jeon, Ran), diving deep into a period of intense social change surrounding the class system.

While there are no doubts about the film’s quality and artistic value, many have questioned why an OTT (Over-the-Top) platform film was chosen to open a festival traditionally rooted in theatrical cinema. During a press conference, BIFF Executive Committee member Park Do-shin addressed the matter, saying, “We chose the film with the audience in mind. The film’s quality is exceptional, but the focus on independent films at the festival remains unchanged.”

What is ‘War and Chaos’?

‘War and Chaos,’ directed by Kim Sang-man, takes place around the time of the Imjin War, highlighting the rigid class system of the era. It follows two characters: Jong-ryeo (played by Park Jung-min), the only son of a high-ranking noble family, and Chun-young (played by Kang Dong-won), his loyal servant.

Despite their different statuses, Jong-ryeo and Chun-young are childhood friends. However, Chun-young dreams of breaking free from his life as a servant, and while Jong-ryeo tries to help him, circumstances eventually drive them apart. Their relationship turns sour as a rebellion led by the household’s servants leaves Jong-ryeo’s family dead, leading him to believe that Chun-young was the instigator. Their paths cross once more during the war, with Jong-ryeo as a royal bodyguard and Chun-young as a freedom fighter, resulting in a tense final showdown.

A Director’s Return After 7 Years

Kim Sang-man makes his return to directing after a seven-year hiatus. He shared his relief during the press conference, stating, “It’s been a while since I directed a film, and I was reassured when ‘War and Chaos’ was selected as the opening film of BIFF. It was a joy to work with such a talented cast.”

The film’s screenplay was developed in collaboration with renowned director Park Chan-wook, who had previously worked with Kim Sang-man as an art director on Joint Security Area (2000). Park Chan-wook recommended Kim to direct War and Chaos, guiding him through every stage of the process. “Director Park was like a mentor to me, giving detailed feedback on the screenplay and even visiting the set to give acting advice,” Kim recalled.

Kang Dong-won’s Transformation

Kang Dong-won took on the challenging role of Chun-young, a servant fighting for freedom. His physical transformation for the role—disheveled hair and rough demeanor—was met with praise. Kang expressed his excitement for playing such a free-spirited character, contrasting the noble roles he typically portrays. “As a noble, you must be careful with your words and emotions, so when I got the chance to play a servant, I felt liberated,” he said. His portrayal of sword-fighting scenes added further intensity to the role.

Complex Characters and Relationships

Park Jung-min’s portrayal of Jong-ryeo showcased his ability to handle a multi-dimensional character. Warm at heart but driven to coldness by misunderstandings, Jong-ryeo is the opposite of Chun-young in many ways. Their contrasting sword-fighting styles were also evident, with Jong-ryeo’s technique reflecting his years of training as a royal bodyguard.

The film’s climax comes when Jong-ryeo, Chun-young, and the enemy general (played by Jung Sung-il) engage in a final battle. Director Kim described the action sequence as one of the most challenging to choreograph, drawing inspiration from The Good, The Bad, The Weird but adapting it to swordplay. The use of fog in the scene symbolized the years of unresolved tension, lifting as the characters reach their final confrontation.

A Bold Opening for BIFF

Despite the concerns that selecting an OTT film as the festival opener would shift the identity of BIFF, Park Do-shin clarified, “This was a bold move to embrace broader audiences, but the festival’s core remains focused on independent cinema.”

Actress Kim Shin-rok expressed her hopes for the film’s impact, saying, “Our film will be released in 190 countries. If people worldwide embrace it, I believe that will bring more attention to films in theaters as well.”

Park Jung-min added, “The dedication of filmmakers and actors to creating meaningful films remains strong, and I believe that as long as we continue this effort, more great films will come to the festival in the future.”

‘War and Chaos’ will be available on Netflix starting October 11, 2024.