First Korean-Croatian film ‘Crisis’ to make festival debut

Crisis (Press)

The first Croatian-Korean film, and the first Croatian film to feature an Asian actor as the protagonist, will make its debut at two festivals.

Crisis will have its Asian premiere at the 20th Dhaka International Film Festival, which is the largest film festival in Bangladesh. Crisis will be in the official program at the festival which takes place from 15-22 January 2022. A total over 226 films from 73 countries will be shown at the festival.

Before its Asian premiere, Crisis will have its Croatian premiere at the Ciklop Film Festival in Benkovac neat Zadar which will take place from 18-22 December 2021.

Crisis follows the day in the life of 20-something Ji-Hu who is working for his father’s Korean restaurant in Zagreb as the delivery boy during the current global pandemic. Throughout his delivery runs across Zagreb he not only has to deal with the constant pressure from his father and an odd variety of customers, but also trying to adjust in a world where he still hasn’t found his place yet.

(Press)

In the lead roles are Seck Zeen Hong, as the film’s protagonist, and You Kwang Kim, as Ji-Hu’s father. Both of which are making their cinematic debuts in leading roles.

The story comes from a desire to show an authentic portrayal of a foreign immigrant’s life in Croatia, specifically residents from Asia.

(Press)

Crisis is the graduate film for Benjamin Noah Maričak, a third year undergraduate student of Production at the Academy of Dramatic Arts, at the University of Zagreb – who serves as the Producer and Creator of the film. The chief creative team consists of Director Boris Vuković, Cinematographer Marko Milohnić and Screenwriter Karla Leko.

(Press)

The inspiration for telling an “immigrant tale” arose from the creator’s own experiences living as an immigrant in America. The film also highlights the struggles of small private businesses across the world who are struggling to make ends meet because of the pandemic.

(Press)

The film was financially supported by the Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC).