Festival (1996 South Korean Film)

Festival (Korean: 축제; RR: Chukje) is a 1996 South Korean drama film directed by Im Kwon-taek. The film explores themes of family reconciliation, grief, and the intersection of life and fiction.

Plot

The narrative follows Jun-sub, a successful novelist who returns to his rural hometown to attend his mother's funeral. As the extended family gathers to mourn, long-standing tensions, unresolved feuds, and personal resentments surface among the relatives. The film interweaves the reality of the funeral proceedings with the narrative of a novel currently being written by Jun-sub, drawing thematic parallels between the fictional family in his book and his own experiences.

Production

Directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Im Kwon-taek, Festival was released in South Korea on June 6, 1996. The screenplay was written by Yook Sang-hyo. The film features a prominent cast led by Ahn Sung-ki, who portrays the protagonist, Jun-sub.

Cast

• Ahn Sung-ki as Jun-sub
• Han Eun-jin
• Jung Kyung-soon
• Lee Eol
• Oh Jung-hae
• Min Kyung-jin
• Nam Jeong-hee
• Kim Ki-cheon
• Lee Geum-ju
• Ahn Byung-kyung
• Choi Dong-joon as Dong-pal
• Kim Jong-goo as Tae-hyung
• Kim Gyung-ae
• Park Seung-tae
• Park Choong-sun