At this year’s Busan International Film Festival, among the many who attended include actors, directors, celebrities and many figures from the film industry. But Hallyu World’s host, Hyesoo, met someone very special during her visit this time, and it was someone who made a huge contribution by introducing Korean cinema to European audiences – and that is the head of the Berlin International Film Festival Forum, Mr. Christoph Terhechte.
Christoph has been a member of the selection committee of the Berlin International Film Festival Forum since 1997 and was appointed head of the Berlinale section in 2001. Working as a head of the International Forum of New Cinema of the Berlin International Film Festival, Christoph Terhechte has actively introduced Korean cinema and directors to European audiences.
By making a notable contribution in the globalization of Korean cinema, Christoph introduces notable Korean films to European audiences such as ‘Take Care Of My Cat,’ ‘Sympathy for Mr.Vengeance’ and ‘A Taxi Driver.’ Among many other notable works, this is why he was chosen as the recipient of the Korean Cinema Award this year at BIFF.
Christoph Terhechte: “ I mean I am very moved that people actually appreciate what I have been doing in Berlin. Of course, the Korean Cinema is not only the Cinema that we have been showing, but I always have the very weak spot for Korean films. They were just enough fantastic, crazy, amazing, interesting Korean films to me to pick from so it almost came actually.”
When asked about the type of films he chooses for film festivals, Christoph responded how he looks not only at the talent on screen but also the overall expression and style of the film.
Christoph Terhechte: ‘”…We choose films based on the directors and the expression and style look of the films. But Park Chan-wook is certainly someone who develop a very distinct style. You mention “Take Care Of My Cat” which actually was a first film I selected here from Busan after I became the director of the Forum. And we have been introducing a lot of new filmmakers to our audience, not just the well-known people like Park Chan-wook or Hong Sang-soo.”
In closing, Christoph Terhechte gave his ideas and opinions when asked about whether artists have a responsibility to fulfill in society.
Christoph Terhechte: “I think the main responsibility of artists is to remain true to themselves. If they do, then the chance people will appreciate the understand what they do is much higher than if they have other objectives in mind. If you think too much of your audiences as a filmmaker or society, then I think you will be misled and the films become less interesting. Believe firmly that an artist foremost bears the responsibility to his own personal expression.”
Check out the full interview here:
OFFICIAL: HallyuWorldOfficial.com
TELEVISION: NTD.tv/hallyu-world
