[Busan=Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] World-renowned director Alfonso Cuarón shared his impressions of his first visit to Busan with his son, director Jonas Cuarón.

At a press conference for the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) held on the 8th at BIFF Hill in the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan, Director Alfonso Cuarón said, “I’m delighted to be able to speak with you all here. It’s such a pleasure to be in Busan.”

Director Cuarón also smiled as he added, “My second son really loves Busan,” noting, “He was so excited riding the KTX today.”

Director Alfonso Cuarón and his son, Director Jonas Cuarón, visited Korea for the first time through this year’s Busan International Film Festival. Director Alfonso held a special talk in Busan following an IMAX screening of his masterpiece *Gravity* and will also participate in a separate master class. Director Jonas’s new film, *Gavacho Champion*, was invited to the World Cinema section.

The two are also a father-son duo who share a deep passion for film. Director Alfonso said of his son, Jonas, “I taught him a lot and showed him many films when he was studying or working on film projects,” adding, “But I actually told him not to pursue film-related studies.”

He continued, “You could say he grew up on set, and since all his friends were making films, when I asked him, ‘What do you want to do?,’ he said he wanted to become a director,” adding, “I think it’s amazing that he’s developing his own unique cinematic language, distinct from mine,” thus expressing his affection for his son.

Director Jonas Cuarón also acknowledged his father’s influence while explaining that he has built his own cinematic world in his own way. “Movies have always been a part of my life. Since my father is such a passionate movie lover, I think it came naturally to me,” he said. “When I watched these films, I was able to share that same passion with him.”

He continued, “I grew up watching classics, thrillers, and action movies, so I began writing screenplays by reflecting on what I loved about those films, and that eventually led to *Gravity*,” adding, “My father’s deep love for film served as my inspiration.”

Director Jonas explained what led him to become a filmmaker, saying, “The film’s narrative and sources of inspiration came to me, and eventually, I ended up making the movie.” He continued, “I felt that I wanted to create this kind of story and make movies for the audience.”

Director Alfonso emphasized that the “audience” is the starting point for his filmmaking. “I trust the audience. Before I started making films, I was a cinephile. I am the audience,” he said, adding, “When I’m working or writing a screenplay, I want to write what I want to see.”

Director Alfonso won the Best Screenplay Award at the 2001 Venice International Film Festival for *Y Tu Mamá También* and the Golden Lion Award at the 2018 Venice International Film Festival for *Roma*. He is a world-renowned master who has won the Academy Award for Best Director twice, for *Gravity* and *Roma*.

Notably, *Gravity* was co-written by Directors Alfonso and Jonas. Director Jonas recently directed the Netflix Original film *My Friend Chupacabra* and attended the 31st Busan International Film Festival with his new film, *Gavacho Champion*.

Director Alfonso has also forged a connection with Korean cinema, having recently served as an executive producer on Director Yeon Sang-ho’s film *Revelation*.

The 31st Busan International Film Festival runs through the 15th at venues across Busan, including the Busan Cinema Center, CGV Centum City, Lotte Cinema Centum City, the Korean Film Council’s Standard Screening Room, the Sohyang Theater Woori Bank Hall, and the Busan Viewers’ Media Center Public Hall.