<Festival>

Director : Im Kwon-taek
Starring : Ahn Seong-ki, Oh Jeong-hae, Han Eun-jin, Jeong Kyeong-sun
Location Sites : Nampo Village, Jangheung, Jeollanam Province

Film Information

<Festival> (Chugje) is based on Lee Cheongjun's novel of the same title. The story contains quite many autobiographical elements of the authro, and is actually set in Jangheung, where his mother lived. At the time of production, director Im Kwontaek was caring for his ill mother, and it became the reason for producing <Festival> as a story of filial piety. <Festival> shows the meaning of traditional Korean funerals as a ceremony of reconciliation and the passing of wisdom to descendents. The detailed subtitles, describing the traditional funeral rites, are the director's intention to deliver this significance.

Synopsis

The renowned, 40-something writer Lee Junseop receives a phone call that his elderly mother, who had suffered from dementia for more than five years, has passed away. The death of the 87-year-old old lady brings about different emotions to different people. The sister-in-law who cared for the ill mother has mixed with feelings of freedom and grief. As an observer, reporter Jang Haerim is busy in his writing world, writing an article on the death of Junseop's mother. The funeral starts and conflicts deepen within the family. However, as the funeral proceeds, troubles are resolved. The sister-in-law who resented Junseop for not taking care of his mother sheds tears after reading Junseop's storybook. When the funeral comes to an end, the great love and wisdom handed down by the old mother remains as a treasure in the heart of each family member.

Location of Shooting

Im Kwongaek is a director who takes particular interest in selecting filming locations. His movies pursue quintessential Korean images through Korea's landscape and the lifestyle of Koreans.

For the filming location of <Festival> (Chugje), the beautiful Nampo Harbor was selected because it is the hometown of the author Lee Cheongjun. Right in front of the harbor is Sodeung Island, which can be reached by foot during low tides. This remote fishing village, with only a few households, is where the entire life of the old lady is engraved. Nature and the outside view of the house as depicted in the film were actually filmed; however, the interior of the house in the movie is a set.

General Information

Nampo Harbor is located in Jangheung, Jeollanam Province. Along National Highway No. 23, there is a small road crossing the mountains. Following the hillside road, the ocean appears out of nowhere. At the end of the road, Sodeung Island, a small island is visible on the left side, and this serves as the background of <Festival>. The small fishing village facing Sodeung Island is Nampo Harbor, looking as if the mountain is embracing the sea. This is said to be author Lee Cheongjun's hometown and nearby is the Lee Cheongjun Literary Museum.

Directions

(1) No. 2 National Highway from Beolgyo - No 18 from Jangheung towards Unheung -No. 77 National Highway - No. 23 National Highway- Nampo Village
(2) Chilli District - Hageum Village - Yongsan Cherry Blossom Town - Punggil Samgeori -Nampo

Nearby Attractions

Sumunpo Beach
A small beach in Sumun-ri, Jangheung, with thickly-wooded pine forests and a gentle slope for safe swimming. Fishing is also available at Jangjaedo along the Coastal Road. Author Lee Cheongjun's literary museum, Cheongwansa Temple and Borimsa Temple are also nearby attractions.