Pusan Promotion Plan goes bigger

12th edition taps more commercial skewing pics

By HAN SUNHEE

SEOUL -- Since its launch in 1998, the Pusan Promotion Plan played a role in nurturing films from some of the region's best-known auteurs such as Jia Zhang-ke, Lou Ye, Jafar Panahi and Kim Ki-duk, eventually cementing a reputation as the power plant of Asian art films.

However, the 12th edition of PPP has tapped more commercially skewing projects by filmmakers such as Korea's Hur Jin-ho ("Good Rain Season"), who's bringing "In Dreams" (working title), a love story about a German woman and North Korean man, while Thailand's Ekachai Uekrongtham ("The Coffin") is presenting thriller "Enemies."

"It is true that PPP was recognized as more supportive of low-budget projects by auteur filmmakers. But there is no need to exclude big films. It's time to lure international co-productions," says Nam Dong-chul, the head of Asian Film Market.

As independent filmmakers try to develop films that will sell in the tougher global marketplace, the PPP recognizes that accepting projects with bigger budgets and higher profiles is key. But another reason PPP is admitting nonauteur-driven projects is regional competition. After PPP established itself, project markets such as Hong Kong's HAF and Tokyo's Tiffcom arose, trying to take a piece of the market pie.

"PPP is the oldest one and is a higher priority to Asian filmmakers," Nam says. "Besides, our main purpose is to support important Asian talent, but we also want to make it an interesting space as an essential part of the Asian Film Market, where conversations about film financing are actively carried out."

For Asian producers, PPP is still the best place to look for investors and co-production partners. One of the most anticipated projects is Bong Joon-ho's sci-fi action drama "Transperceneige."

"We will look for international partners at the PPP. It would be great if we could gather available sources in the Asian film industry and make them go forward worldwide," says Lee Tae-hun, the producer of Bong's project.

Hong Kong helmer Pang Ho Cheung's "Great Love" is also a challenging selection in terms of storyline, portraying a nurse having sex with dying patients. "PPP is an important film funding platform," the director says. "I expect to open up overseas markets working with foreign producers."

There are also international co-productions from Europe this year: Germany's Pandora Films brings "The Silver Gate," which deals with Turkey's Zaza ethnic group, by director Nuray Sahin, while Uzbekistan-Estonia effort "Berlin-Tashkent-Transit" and Tajikistan-born helmer Bakhtiar Khoudojnazarov's "Waiting for the Sea" show PPP's efforts to expand its reach.

Familiar names will also be showing projects, including Japan's Aoyama Shinji with "Decadent Sisters"; Taiwan's Chang Tso Chi with "While Love Is Coming"; Korea's Lee Myung-se with "Youth Is Reckless" and Han Jae-rim with "Trace"; and Jeong Jae-eun with Japanese production "O.D.V."

Perhaps the biggest testament to the PPP's success is how many of its films end up competing at Pusan. Among this year's lineup, "How Are You, Dad?" (Chang Tso-chi); "A Brand New Life" (Ounie Lecomte); "Castaway on the Moon" (Lee Hey-jun); "Face" (Tsai Ming Liang); "Paju" (Park Chan-ok); and "Opium War" (Siddiq Barmak) were invited to PPP in the past four years. No doubt that some of this year's selections will create buzz on fest circuit as well as at the B.O.