[Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] Director Hirokazu Kore-eda revealed that his film “Look Back” led him to rethink the meaning of creativity.

At the press conference for the “Look Back” gala presentation at the 31st Busan International Film Festival, held on the 7th at BIFF Hill in the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan, Director Hirokazu Kore-eda explained, “‘Look Back’ felt to me like a story about the burden that creators carry and bear,” adding, “It was a work that allowed me to reconnect with film through the original source material.”

“Look Back” depicts the poignant story of two girls who became each other’s world as they spent four unforgettable seasons together. It is a live-action adaptation of the manga of the same name by Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator of the manga “Chainsaw Man.”

Director Hirokazu Kore-eda served as director, screenwriter, and editor, and the film was invited to the Competition section of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival and the Gala Presentation at the 31st Busan International Film Festival.

Recalling his first encounter with the original work, Director Kore-eda said, “The manga itself is an incredibly popular series, and I happened to discover it at a bookstore and started reading it,” adding, “I can’t forget the impact it had on me when I read it at home.”

He continued, “Why do people write stories and create? Applying this to myself, I found myself asking, ‘Why do I make movies?’” He explained, “I felt it was a story about the burden that creators carry.”

He added, “I wanted to express the impact ‘Look Back’ had on me through film,” noting, “While manga and film are different mediums, I created this work while constantly keeping in mind the question of why people create and produce things.”

He expressed particular affection for working with the actors. Director Kore-eda said, “It might be rude to say this, but the four actors felt a bit like my own daughters,” adding, “The comfortable and pleasant atmosphere on set was thanks to the actors.”

He continued, “I wanted to carefully capture in the film the moments, seasons, and changing light that these four actors shared,” and credited the actors, saying, “They expressed it beautifully.”

He also expressed his affection for the Busan International Film Festival. Director Kore-eda said, “I’m delighted to be here at this festival with the actors with whom I’ve shared so much time,” adding, “The opening ceremony was spectacular, and I’m grateful that they even composed a song in my honor.”

He continued, “I’ve been coming to the Busan International Film Festival since my debut, so I’m very attached to it,” and expressed his feelings, saying, “I’m delighted to be here with *Look Back*.”

The actors also shared their thoughts on attending the Busan International Film Festival. Natsuki Deguchi, who plays Fujino, said, “I came to Busan last year as well, and I’m happy that we were all able to come together this year.” Aju Makita, who plays Kyomoto, said, “This is my first time at the Busan International Film Festival. It was a precious experience to watch the film at the opening ceremony.”

Furi Nanase, who plays the young Fujino, compared the red carpets at the Venice International Film Festival and the Busan International Film Festival, noting, “The atmosphere on the red carpet in Korea was different.” She added, “A huge crowd had gathered, and I was nervous, but I was happy that the audience waved at us. It was also great to see so many famous people.”

Roka Okada, who plays the young Kyomoto, shared her thoughts, saying, “It’s truly an honor to attend the Busan International Film Festival.”

"Look Back" opens in theaters across the country on the 8th.