Actress Moon Geun-young debuts as a film director

▲ This photo, provided by Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, shows, Moon Geun-young. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ This photo, provided by Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, shows, a scene from Moon Geun-young's 'Abyss. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ This photo, provided by Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, shows, a scene from Moon Geun-young's The Stage. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ This photo, provided by Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, shows, Moon Geun-young. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, July 11 (Yonhap) -- “At first, I started only because I wanted to act, but, things got big. Thank you for loving what I do, and I would like to thank you all for giving me an opportunity to screen my work at such a big screen.”

South Korean actress Moon Geun-young debuted as a film director with three of her short films through 26th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival on July 10. “I am trembled and scared.” adding “I would like to thank all the audiences.” announced Moon Geun-young during the short question and answer segment followed by the screening of her short films.

Actress Moon Geun-young who is known for her work in the film industry for over 24 years created an artist group called "Bachi", with her friends. “It is not something I have really put a lot of thought into.” adding “I’m not use to getting all the spot light as a film director.” announced Moon Geun-young during the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.

Director Moon Geun-young premiered “Abyss”, “The Stage”, and “Be In My Dream” which are three of her short films with 9 to 15 minutes of runtime. All three of her works are silent films which use actor’s facial expressions, body gestures, light and sound to convey change of emotions.

“Abyss”, which was filmed underwater, Moon Geun-young acted out the female character. The story is about a woman who is unable to escape from the water despite her effort. Even when she reaches the place where she thinks is the end, she finds herself trapped underwater.

“The Stage” which was filmed with black and white like tone, is a short film about an unfortunate life of a person who wants to get out of the show business but can’t. “Be In My Dream” is more of a contemporary dance performance which expresses the emotion between two of the lovers.

“Filming underwater, naturally I was unable to speak; I focused more on using facial expression and motion to deliver the message, that’s why my short films became a silent film.” announced Moon Geun-young during the question and answer segment of Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.

Moreover, Moon Geun-young mentioned, “Members in their 20s up to 40s came together to create the project, therefore we tried to encompass the frustration an thoughts that people in their 20s up to 40s go through. Hence through this movie we wanted to consol people of their hardships and end on a not that lets all work together for a better future ahead.” during the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.

Three of her short films deal with chaotic mixture of emotions such as confusion, frustration, loss, yearning and more. Director Moon Geun-young explained that she used the light as one of the key aspect to express those feelings.

“Often times, light is considered as hope when in a situation where its dark, and in a need to escape the constraining place. I wanted to show that if I am alive and fine then the light and darkness matters less.” adding “I wanted people to see the pressure every actors face.” announced Moon Geun-young during the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.

Moreover, she spoke of her first expression as a director by saying “Unlike acting, with directing a film you need to make prompt decisions. Director is a very lonely job, but at the same time I felt freedom.” adding “Seeing my films on the big screen I was able to pick out the flaws. I will soon return as an actress as well.”

Director Shin Su-won who directed “Glass Garden” in 2017 starring Moon Geun-young expressed his thought on her films by saying “It is amazing how much talent she has and I am surprised that she hid such a talent till now. Her directing skill to make the audience focus more on the actor’s facial expression and their motions is very impressive.” adding “The 25 second underwater take showed how strong and determined Moon Geun-young is.”

(This article is translated from Korean to English by Joonha Yoo.)

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