Korean Cinema at La Compagnia for the 2025 FKFF
The Florence Korea Film Fest is returning for its 23rd edition and will be running from March 20 – 29 at La Compagnia cinema (via Cavour 50/r) and online via MyMovies. With an impressive lineup of more than 70 films (all screened with English and Italian subtitles), 10 distinguished guests, and 3 masterclasses, the festival is an immersive journey through South Korean cinematography.
This year’s festival will welcome some of the most prominent figures in South Korean cinema, including award-winning actor Hwang Jung-min, celebrated director Na Hong-jin, rising filmmaker Chun Sun-young, and renowned composer Mowg. Hwang Jung-min, the winner of the Blue Dragon Film Award for Best Actor, will be honoured with a special tribute featuring the screening of eight of his best films. Additionally, he will hold an exclusive masterclass titled The Three Faces of Hwang Jung-min on Saturday, March 22, offering an in-depth look at his illustrious career.
The festival will open with Escape, directed by Lee Jong-pil, who will be present at the screening. The film follows Sergeant Kyu-nam’s struggle at the demilitarised zone, caught between loyalty and his desire for freedom.
The festival will close with A Girl with Closed Eyes by Chun Sun-young, a gripping mystery revolving around a murder case that reopens old wounds between two estranged childhood friends.
A highlight of this edition is a tribute to Na Hong-jin, the acclaimed director known for his innovative and daring visual style in the Korean noir genre. There will be a cinematic tribute to his films, which is the first organised in Italy, where director will meet the public and will hold a masterclass on March 26. His films are deeply rooted in Korean culture and have won numerous awards, including international ones.
This year showcases the vast range of South Korean filmmaking, from historical dramas to contemporary independent cinema. Korean Horizons will present some of the country’s best films, while Korean Cinema Today will feature works by emerging independent filmmakers tackling themes of psychological horrors, romance, and noir. The corto, corti! section will spotlight short films addressing crucial social issues such as civil rights, gender equality, AI, and environmental sustainability. Notably, many of the films are produced by Chungkang University, renowned for its animated shorts.
A much-anticipated part of the festival, masterclasses will provide film lovers the opportunity to engage with industry experts. Each of the guests will participate in discussions about their creative processes and the broader cultural themes present in their works. Artistic director Riccardo Gelli expressed his excitement for this year’s programme, stating ‘I am happy once again to be able to host illustrious figures from Korean cinema, who will be honoured by the City of Florence with a certificate of Citizenship.’
To conclude, there will be a special concert by Mowg, one of the most visionary and influential composers of the South Korean film scene, on March 29 at 9 pm. He will perform live, accompanied by the talented singer Kom Go-woon, together with Florence Pops orchestra, conducted by Carlo Chiarotti. With his unique approach to film music, mixing Korean tradition and electronic experimentation, Mowg has created soundtracks capable of transforming every scene into an intense and memorable experience.
Attendees can choose from various ticketing options, including:
Theatre Festival Subscriptions: €70 (includes full festival access, both in-theatre and online)
Online Subscription: €6 (access to all online content, Korean Film programme on Kvision, and MYmovies ONE films for three months)
Single Afternoon Screening: €6 (reduced price: €5)
Evening Screening from 7pm: €8
Festival Day Ticket: €14
Afternoon Day Ticket: €12
For more information and booking details, visit koreafilmfest.com
(Mina Lozanova)
