Festival 1996
Im Kwon-taek's *Festival* (1996) weaves a poignant tale of family, loss, and the quiet struggles of aging through the lens of a celebrated South Korean novelist.
Director: Im Kwon-taek
Cast
Ahn Sung-ki
Lee Joon-seop
Oh Jung-hae
Lee Yong-soon
Han Eun-jin
Joon-seop's Mother
Jung Kyung-soon
Jang Hye-rim
Park Seoung-tae
Oe Dong Daek
Lee Geum-ju
Choi Ji-hyeon
Lee Hae-ryong
Lee Eol
Won-il
Jin-Taek Im
Ahn Byeong-kyeong
Sae-mal A-jae
Frequently Asked Questions
What is *Festival* (1996) about?
The film centers on a novelist who, upon hearing of his mother's death while finishing a fairytale about her dementia, returns to her village for her funeral. His journey becomes a reflection on memory, loss, and the fragile bonds between generations.
Who directed *Festival*?
Im Kwon-taek, one of South Korea's most celebrated directors, known for his intimate character studies and explorations of cultural identity.
Who stars in *Festival*?
The film stars Ahn Sung-ki as the novelist, alongside Oh Jung-hae, Han Eun-jin, Jung Kyung-soon, and Park Seoung-tae, delivering performances that ground the film's emotional depth.
Is *Festival* (1996) worth watching?
For viewers drawn to thoughtful dramas with rich emotional layers, *Festival* offers a rewarding experience. Im Kwon-taek's direction and the cast's performances bring warmth and authenticity to a story about love, grief, and the stories we tell to preserve those we've lost.
How long is *Festival*?
The runtime of *Festival* is 107 minutes.
Festival (1996): A Poignant Novella of Family and Loss — Full Movie Info
Im Kwon-taek's *Festival* (1996) weaves a poignant tale of family, loss, and the quiet struggles of aging through the lens of a celebrated South Korean novelist.
When the author learns of his mother's passing while finalizing a heartfelt fairytale about her dementia, he embarks on a journey back to her rural village, where the weight of tradition, memory, and grief collide. The film contrasts the bustling creativity of urban life with the serene, if haunting, rhythms of village existence, creating an atmosphere both tender and melancholic. With a cast led by Ahn Sung-ki and Oh Jung-hae, *Festival* captures the universal tension between personal ambition and familial duty, all while Im Kwon-taek's masterful direction lingers on the small, human moments that define us.
