Renowned filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón and his son, director Jonás Cuarón, attended the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). Their strong bond as father and son transcends blood ties, as they share profound inspiration and cinematic philosophies that resonated deeply with the audience in Busan.
On the morning of October 8, a press conference was held at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae, featuring both directors, who were invited to the festival.
Alfonso Cuarón, who has won Academy Awards for Best Director for 'Gravity' (2013) and 'Roma' (2018), is being honored this year in the 'Special Screening' category. Jonás Cuarón, who has been establishing his own cinematic world with films like 'Desierto' (2015), is presenting his new work 'Gabacho Champion' in the 'World Cinema' section, marking his first visit to South Korea.
Expressing their excitement about visiting Korea, both directors shared their deep affection for Korean cinema. Alfonso stated, "I really love Busan, and I am happy to be invited. I am thrilled to engage directly with the audience."
Jonás described himself as a "huge fan of Korean cinema," listing films he has watched, including 'The Host,' 'Parasite,' and recent works like 'Hope' and 'I Can't Help It.' He praised Korean films for their strong thematic consciousness while maintaining a unique humor that connects with audiences. He also shared a lighthearted anecdote about his second son, who is also a fan of Korean films, recalling their excitement on the KTX train to Busan, reminiscent of the movie 'Train to Busan.'
Growing up in a film set and learning from his legendary father, Jonás considers Alfonso a significant source of inspiration. He remarked, "Movies have always been a part of my life. My father’s passionate love for film allowed me to naturally absorb various genres like classics, thrillers, and action. He has shaped my cinematic principles."
Interestingly, Alfonso initially opposed Jonás's entry into filmmaking. He revealed, "I took him to the movies from a young age and taught him many things, but I advised him against pursuing film studies."
He explained, "I wanted my son to have a broad perspective on the world. If he immerses himself too much in films, he might start to see life solely through the lens of cinema rather than as a reference for life itself. Most importantly, I hoped he would avoid the failures, frustrations, and pains of having dreams crushed that come with being a director." He added humorously, "But now that he’s in this field, it’s all over for him," eliciting laughter from the audience.
After recognizing each other's paths, the two have become the perfect partners in Hollywood. Notably, Jonás co-wrote 'Gravity,' directed by Alfonso, which exemplifies their remarkable synergy.
Reflecting on their collaboration, Jonás recalled, "The discussions we had on the street naturally evolved into brainstorming sessions. It was an organic and smooth collaboration, and I learned a lot." Alfonso emphasized, "When we collaborate, we set aside our father-son relationship and strictly act as director and writer. We only revert to being father and son during lunch breaks," while also expressing deep trust in his son.
Alfonso praised Jonás, stating, "Now my son is developing his own unique cinematic language. He has an exceptional ability to visualize themes while valuing the audience." He noted that reading Jonás's script for 'Gravity' greatly inspired him and influenced his own cinematic language.
At this film festival, Jonás's new film 'Gabacho Champion' also received support from Alfonso as a producer. Jonás explained his vision, saying, "Unlike traditional immigrant stories, I wanted to showcase the poetic human faces of their aspirations, dreams, and love beyond hardship and violence." Alfonso added, "What I love about this film is how it captures the desire for joy and community within tragedy."
They also hinted at future projects, with Jonás cautiously mentioning he is exploring various approaches for upcoming works. Alfonso teased, "Jonás is slowly writing a horror story, which is very intriguing," raising anticipation among film fans.
The 31st Busan International Film Festival will run until October 15, showcasing a diverse array of films to audiences in Busan.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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