For the first time two Italian films have arrived at the most important Asian festival, the Busan International Film Festival, already with a Korean distribution, confirming a very positive trend for our cinema. Misunderstood was purchased from Atnine already after Cannes and its release is expected in late January / early February, while just before the festival has finalized the purchase of Hungry Hearts (defined by Tv Report "one of the must-see-movies in Busan") by Challan. Both companies are specialized in European arthouse cinema and have a particular care in the distribution of this type of product.
Especially the presence of Asia Argento, welcomed at the festival like a star, was "exploited" very well by the distribution, with number of interviews to be used for the launch of the film, which will be released under the name of Aria. The director was the star of an Open Talk in the Festival Village on the beach which was attended by hundreds of young people.
Ivano De Matteo instead was the Italian representative for the usual appointment with Opening Doors, a project of the European Film Promotion in which the agency brings to the Korean audience fifteen directors from Europe. De Matteo, who presented The Dinner, was the protagonist of a triumphal presentation on the beach where he could show off his natural histrionic ability.
As for the Asian Film Market, at the stand EFP, larger than last year, there were three Italian sales company, Rai Com, Intramovies, Fandango.
The Italian presence at the festival was enriched with the valuable collaboration of the Ice Seoul directed by Paola Bellusci, organizer of the Italian party at the prestigious Hotel Paradise. The event was attended by the Italian Ambassador in Korea HE Sergio Mercuri and festival director Lee Yong-kwan.
According to Catia Rossi (Rai Com) the event is particularly successful because there is a good presence of international buyers (especially Koreans) who are usually reluctant to attend Western events.

Press Quotes:

TV Report, 1 ottobre
[Hungry Hearts is] One of the Must-see-movies in Busan Film Festival You should take note of , invited to Venice film festival competition section and took best actor and best actress awards. The movie is a brilliant combination of the first part showing the power of love and the last part portraying bizarre and tragic atmosphere.

Busan Daily - Cine choice, 4 ottobre
We can see Aria’s frustration from eccentric music in the scenes Aria is ignored and got scolded, unstable camera angles, excessive color of set. It made us so sad.

Screen Daily, 5 ottobre
The director mused she didn’t think anything was lost because of the low budget because a low budget creates obstacles, and “I love to solve problems.

Kookje Daily, 4 ottobre
Argento enchanted the audiences of Busan with her beauty and firm yet strong vision on her film.

Movie Joy, 6 ottobre
Director Ivano De Matteo who visited BIFF with THE DINNER gave the audiences the pleasure with his enthusiastic answers to the questions and his humours along with honest insights.

Asia Argento

Ivano De Matteo

Paola Bellusci, Sergio Mercuri

Paola Bellusci, Lee Yong-kwan