[Busan=Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] Director Jeong Ju-ri shared details about the inception and production process of her third feature film, “Dora.”

At a press conference for the gala presentation of “Dora” held on the 9th at BIFF Hill in Haeundae-gu, Busan, as part of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), Director Jeong stated, “I’ve been making films where the protagonist’s name appears in the title, and in fact, ‘Dora’ can be seen as the starting point for that.” Director Jeong was joined at the event by actors Kim Do-yeon and Song Sae-byeok.

“Dora” tells the story of a family that leaves Seoul for a summer seaside villa, where everything gradually begins to unravel as Dora (played by Kim Do-yeon), who has been suffering from an unknown illness, experiences love for the first time. The film stars Kim Do-yeon, Sakura Ando, Song Sae-byeok, and Choi Won-young.

“Dora” originated from a book by Freud that Director Jeong encountered when he was around twenty years old. He explained, “When I was around twenty, I was reading Freud’s collected works and became interested in the case of Dora. I thought that if I ever made a movie, I’d like to try telling this story,” adding, “It was also the story that came to mind when I wrote my first feature-length screenplay.”

However, Director Jeong’s initial concept did not immediately translate into a film. “I tried making it, but it didn’t go well,” he said. “After making *Dohee-ya*, I revisited this project.”

He continued, “Even after I finished the first draft and tried to secure production, things didn’t go well. Above all, people who read it said, ‘I don’t really understand what the story is about,’ or ‘It’s too difficult.’” He explained that he subsequently made *The Next So-hee* and then returned to his starting point to complete *Dora*.

For Kim Do-yeon, who played Dora, the process of understanding the character was a new challenge. “When I first read the script, I thought Dora and I were very different,” she said. “I felt at a loss about how to understand the character, and since Dora’s choices were different from mine, she felt distant at first.” She added, “I think I gradually grew closer to Dora as I talked with the director.”

She continued, “There were times when I texted the director, telling him how beautiful the script became with every line I read,” and noted, “The process of understanding the story was both joyful and moving.” She added, “Although it was hard work, every aspect of the experience was new and fun, and I learned a great deal.”

Song Sae-byeok, who played Yeon-su, a member of Dora’s family, remarked, “Even on this set, I thought, ‘The director hasn’t changed a bit,’” adding, “It was a work where I could feel the subtlety of the characters, the director’s worldview, and its depth.”

Director Jeong also expressed both anticipation and nervousness about sharing the story with audiences. “I’m curious to see how people will receive ‘Dora’ and what kind of conversations it will spark,” he said, adding, “I’m both worried and excited.”

The 31st Busan International Film Festival will be held throughout Busan until the 15th at venues 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.