Ulsan Ulju Mountain Film Festival to Feature Slovenian Cinema

SEOUL, June 11 (Yonhap) -- The annual Ulsan Ulju Mountain Film Festival (UMFF) will open in September, with this year's event focusing on Slovenian cinema that navigates the country's vast landscapes and the way of life shaped by the natural environment, organizers said Thursday.

An array of Slovenian films have been selected for key screenings under the "Julian Alps -- Slovenia" section during the 11th edition of the film festival set to take place from Sept. 18-22 in the mountainous county of Ulju in Ulsan, about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, according to the organizers.

Slovenia, with much of its territory covered by mountains, is the guest country for this year's film fest.

"We have assembled works that showcase the natural world, way of life and cultural sensibilities of Slovenia -- a country that remains relatively unfamiliar to Korean audiences," a festival representative said, adding that Slovenian food pop-ups and cultural programs will take place alongside the screenings.

Among the films that will be introduced at this year's event is the novel-based Kekec series, which follows the adventures of a shepherd boy who fights for justice against the backdrop of the Julian Alps. The film won the children's film prize at the 1952 Venice Film Festival.

"Block 5" is another children's film set to be screened. The 2024 movie centers on a girl named Alma, who discovers plans to turn the local playground into a car park and rallies with her peers to put a brake on the plans.

Also among recent films that have been selected for screening is "Family Therapy," which draws comparisons with the award-winning Korean black comedy thriller "Parasite." It explores themes such as class and desire as two families unexpectedly find themselves sharing a luxurious forest villa.

"Woman of God," a documentary by Maja Prettner, chronicles the journey of a female pastor as she heals from wounds, a process that renders her inner world with quiet gravity and restraint.

In recognition of alpinism, the festival will also screen mountain films, including "Alpine Warriors," a documentary that captures the spirit of mountaineering through the voices and archival material of Slovenian mountaineers.

"Ales Kunaver and the First Expedition to the World's Highest Peak" offers a glimpse of the life of legendary alpinist Ales Kunaver, a prolific climber who founded a mountaineering school for Sherpas, enabling those who had served in supporting roles to grow into leading climbers in their own right.

"The program will introduce not only compelling stories, but also a glimpse into Slovenia's striking natural environment and alpine spirit. We warmly invite Koreans to visit our Alps and experience this incredible natural heritage for themselves," Jernej Muller, the Slovenian ambassador to South Korea, said.