The 22nd Verzió International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival will showcase Korean documentaries for the first time in its history, presenting a dedicated Korean Focus program from November 11 to 19. The festival, which features some of the world's most current and compelling creative documentaries across 11 different sections, has chosen to highlight South Korea's evolving documentary landscape and its powerful social commentary.
The Korean Focus program emerges at a time when South Korea has transformed into a dynamically developing and economically rising nation since its separation from North Korea. However, this rapid economic growth has also intensified social differences and injustices within Korean society. Korean documentaries from recent decades have successfully caught up with international trends, thoughtfully addressing their society's generational experiences and previously unspoken dilemmas through powerful visual storytelling.
The Korean program will feature the international premieres of two compelling short films that tackle significant social and environmental issues. "Coral Love" follows the environmental destruction of coral reefs on Jeju Island and chronicles the life of the local community working tirelessly to protect these fragile marine ecosystems. The second short film, "Still Waiting at Paengmok," explores the lasting aftermath of the tragic Sewol ferry disaster and documents how grieving parents continue their painful wait for justice and closure.
The program also includes a feature-length documentary titled "K-Family Affairs," whose director examines the complex relationship between South Korea's influential 386 generation and today's youth through intimate family stories. The 386 generation, known for their pivotal role in South Korea's fight for democratization during the 1980s, represents a crucial period in the country's modern history, and the film explores how their experiences and values intersect with contemporary Korean society.
The Korean Wave section of the festival receives support from the Korean Cultural Center in Hungary, demonstrating the continued international interest in Korean cultural content. Festival screenings will take place at multiple prestigious venues throughout the city, including Trafó House, Toldi Cinema, Művész Cinema, the Blinken OSA Archivum, CEU Budapest, and Institut français en Hongrie. Detailed program schedules and additional information about specific screening times are available on the festival's official website at verzio.org.
