The biggest stars of Asian cinema, including the famous Hong Konger Tony Leung ("In the Mood for Love", 2000), who received the Asian filmmaker of the year award on Wednesday, have an appointment on the red carpet of the Busan International Film Festival.

In recent years, South Korea has asserted itself as a cultural power, notably after the worldwide success of the series "Squid Game" and "Parasite", Oscar for best film in 2020.

The festival, greatly reduced in 2020 due to Covid-19 and affected by social distancing measures in 2021, is taking place this year without restrictions.

On the programme: 243 films from 71 countries, including 89 world premieres.

It opened on Wednesday with the feature film "Scent of wind", by Iranian filmmaker Hadi Mohaghegh, which tells the story of a father and a son - both disabled - living in an isolated village.

Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai during a press conference on the occasion of the 27th Busan International Film Festival in South Korea, October 6, 2022 Jung Yeon-je AFP

South Koreans are also very well represented, notably by actress and K-pop star IU who will join Japanese filmmaker Kore-eda to talk about "Broker", screened at the Cannes festival.

Other scheduled screenings include Korean-Canadian director Anthony Shim's "Riceboy Sleeps," which tells the story of a single Korean immigrant mother, festival programmer Nam Dong-chul said.

This film could become the next "Minari", said the same source, in reference to a 2020 drama about South Korean immigrants to the United States which received rave reviews and a multitude of awards, including the Oscar of the Best Supporting Actress.

Iranian director Hadi Mohaghegh during a press conference at the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea, October 5, 2022 Jung Yeon-je AFP

Four major South Korean stars - Kang Dong-won, Han Ji-min, Lee Young-ae and Ha Jung-woo - will meet their fans in Busan to talk about their life and work.

The drama "A Man" by Japanese director Kei Ishikawa - about a widow who discovers her late husband's past - will close the edition.

© 2022 AFP