Twelve Months Later – “XiXi” Film’s Return to Busan

[Written by Venice]

We haven’t written in this part of the website in 4 years. Recently, we have been caught up in many activities, and realised that pausing to remember the moments in the past 6 years helps to put the present experience in perspective. So here we are,– in this moment writing about a future event and finding its connection to experiences in the past.

In October 2023, the team behind the film “XiXi” was able to gather in Busan.

This was the first time that all 4 producers would be meeting in one place physically. We were invited by ASIAN CINEMA FUND (ACF) to attend ACF Night which happens during BIFF. This was because “XiXi” was supported by the Asian Network of Documentary(AND) Fund 2023. We were so grateful for the support to keep our film going, but alongside this was another gift–

For the first time, most of the members of our team had the chance to be together physically, in one place. We were also meeting the post production team for the first time.

Back then, we were in the middle of editing. It was one of the rare chances that we were able to watch a new cut all together in the same room, and have a discussion afterwards. So many things were unknown. As it is in the middle of a big work, the transformations happen as if we are finding our way in the dark. There were deadlines that had been set, and material deliverables that had to be made, but how to make that all happen, were to be discovered.

One night, after a long day of meetings. Yoonsoo, Fan, and I went to this fortune teller. Fan had her fortune told. I listened to try to get some assurance but I did have my questions, all related to the film making process: “Will everything be alright? Will our hearts be intact after this process?”

The fortune told was reassuring, “some days of calm and quiet will come. These days should be mistaken for drought, they are a preparation for the busy times to come. Some loss in either business or romance, but not to worry, it will all be gained back.”

We finished the film “XiXi” a quarter of a year after that. Back then, we had no idea what would happen a year later. We just kept going.

There were times of quiet after that. Sometimes, they were truly thought of as drought, but really they were rest. These days are a bit more busy, and this coming October, the film “XiXi” is part of 부산국제영화제 Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) Wide Angle: Documentary Showcase. It’s amazing to have the chance to bring the film back to Busan.

The film will be screening on the following dates:

Oct. 5 13h30 LOTTE CINEMA CENTUM CITY 10 w Q&A
Oct. 6 20h00 LOTTE CINEMA CENTUM CITY 5 w Q&A
Oct. 8 16h30 CGV CENTUM CITY 1

For ticket information visit: https://tinyurl.com/xixibusan