In the Asian In-Competition Films category, the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s ‘Family Secrets’ has attracted attention with the participation of actress Kim Hye Eun, known for her roles in popular series like ‘Itaewon Class’ and ‘Twenty-Five Twenty-One’. Directed by Lee Sang Hoon, the film tells a touching story about a family’s journey of healing after experiencing loss.
Japanese cinema brings ‘How to Forget You’, directed by Yu Sakudo, an award-winning filmmaker at the Venice Film Festival, offering a romantic and deeply emotional narrative.
Another remarkable film is Mongolia’s ‘The Father’, depicting a resilient 30-year journey of a father who faced a near-death experience as he awaited the birth of his first child.
Representing Southeast Asia, the Philippines enters the competition with ‘Out of Order’, a gripping thriller about a young lawyer forced to defend his estranged father accused of murder.
In the Panorama of Asian Cinema programme, the RoK’s two films are making their international debut at DANAFF: ‘My Friend is a Murderer’ and ‘Extreme Family’, featuring stars Lee Il Hwa (from 'Reply 1988') and Ji Seung Hyun (from 'Descendants of the Sun'). Notably, Ji Seung Hyun will attend a screening to interact with the audience.
Japanese cinema also contributes with titles such as ‘Lotus Kitchen’, ‘Mommy’, ‘Souzoku’, and ‘Niihama Hikari Story: The Blue Lion’, offering stories both intimately familiar and refreshingly unique, ranging from culinary culture to social narratives.
A highlight of DANAFF III is the Viet Nam-India co-production ‘Love in Vietnam’, directed by Rahhat Shah Kazmi and produced by Captain Rahul Bali. The film not only tells a romantic love story but also celebrates Viet Nam’s landscapes, people, and culture through a youthful, modern cinematic lens. The film stars both Vietnamese and Indian actors, including Kha Ngan, Avneet Kaur, and Shantanu Maheshwari.
‘Love in Viet Nam’ was first introduced in its project phase at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and will have its world premiere at DANAFF III. Its production was supported by the Consulates of both countries and various Vietnamese localities, thanks to Viet Nam’s policies promoting the film industry and the Production Attraction Index (PAI) initiated by the Viet Nam Film Development Association (VFDA).
All films screened as part of DANAFF III are free of charge and will be shown at Le Do, CGV, Galaxy, and Lotte cinemas in Da Nang from June 29. Free tickets have been available at Le Do cinema since June 24. Audiences will also have opportunities to meet and engage with numerous acclaimed Asian directors and actors.
