The first feature documentary directed by Kim Dong-ho, former festival director of the Busan International Film Festival, this film captures the present landscape of theaters and films across Asia through the eyes of a seasoned film professional. Now retired from public service, Kim travels with his camera to document the post-pandemic cinematic ecosystem, visiting theaters and film festivals in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, and beyond, and gathering memories and concerns from filmmakers along the way. Prominent figures like Lee Chang-dong, Park Chan-wook, Bong Joon-ho, Kore-eda Hirokazu, Tsai Ming-Liang, and Garin Nugroho eagerly share their thoughts on the fate of theaters and the future of cinema. What begins as a survey of the current state of theaters evolves into an emotional chronicle and an opportunity to reflect on the essence and sustainability of cinema. Ultimately, this is a quiet, heartfelt love letter from an elderly cinephile to the art he cherishes.
Kim Dong-ho began his career in the 1980s at the Korean Motion Picture Promotion Corporation (now the Korean Film Council). He served as president of the Seoul Arts Center and worked as vice minister of the Ministry of Culture from 1992 to 1993. He was the founding festival director of the Busan International Film Festival from 1996 until 2010. His directorial work includes the short film Jury (2013) and the feature-length documentary Mr. Kim Goes to the Cinema (2025).
From Busan International Film Festival 2025, No. 30
