Seoul International Environmental Film Festival Grand Prize 'The Moment the Bell Rings' Press Screening / Sponsor Screening Held!

The documentary film 〈The Moment the Bell Rings〉, which won the Grand Prize in the Korean Competition section of the 22nd Seoul International Environmental Film Festival, successfully held a press/distribution screening and press conference on November 6 at 4:30 PM at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall, ahead of the Winter Olympics to be held early next year, and received enthusiastic responses at the same day's screening for Tumblbug sponsors. The documentary 〈The Moment the Bell Rings〉 deeply addresses the issues of development and conservation surrounding Mount Gariwang, shedding light on the structural traces left by mega-events beyond the conflicts of a region. Directors Kim Joo-young and Komeil Soheili completed this work by directly recording the site based on the experience they have accumulated through long-term documentary work.

Regarding the starting point of the film, Director Kim Joo-young said, “When I first returned to Mount Gariwang, I realized how much I had forgotten about this mountain. After spending a week in the mountain, I made the decision that I must do this work,” opening up about the opportunity to face Mount Gariwang. He emphasized that the process of collaboration with 'Friends of the Mountain and Nature', which has been monitoring Mount Gariwang for a long time, involved sharing ecological surveys and records accumulated over ten years, and that he was able to learn by climbing the mountain with the best experts in the country, highlighting that the depth of the film is based not on simple reporting but on long-term accumulated ecological knowledge and field experience.

Komeil Soheili, who performed most of the filming, editing, and sound design himself, said, “This work was truly as the word 'independent' suggests. Although it is not perfect, it is a work made with all my effort,” conveying that it was an experience of contemplation and learning about the production methods as a documentarian even in a difficult production environment. He further emphasized that it is now time for everyone to ask the question, “Is it possible to do this in a sustainable way?” regarding the environmental damage and economic loss issues that the host site of the Winter Olympics repeatedly faces, revealing that this is not only a matter for Mount Gariwang but a global issue.

There was also mention of Solbi, who provided the narration for the film. Director Kim Joo-young confessed, “I really enjoyed working with this person. They were very kind and cooperative, and I have been thinking that I definitely want to work with them again,” expressing gratitude for the connection made through previous works. He also mentioned that Solbi willingly participated in this project in the form of a talent donation, adding his appreciation once again.

Finally, the film that started from Mount Gariwang expands to the 'Cortina' region in Italy, revealing the repetitive development logic of mega-events in an international context. Director Komeil Soheili stated, “This issue is not just a problem of one region. The same pattern is occurring in various parts of the world right now,” expressing that the questions raised by the film are valid beyond borders.

On the same day, a screening for Tumblbug sponsors was also held. The film, which recorded 128% of its funding goal early on, received enthusiastic responses on-site. During the stage greeting attended by cast members Professor Yoon Yeo-chang and reporter Nam Jun-ki, an in-depth conversation about the need for environmental conservation, including Mount Gariwang, continued. Immediately after the screening, audience members expressed vivid impressions, saying, “The screening itself felt like a huge ritual for Mount Gariwang,” and “I didn’t expect such issues to remain after the Olympics,” confirming that the questions raised by the film convey not just simple issues but sensory and emotional shocks. Through this screening, 〈The Moment the Bell Rings〉 is generating expectations for social repercussions and dissemination potential following its release, leading to passionate empathy and discussion from the very first meeting with the audience.

 In this era of climate emergency, the film 〈The Moment the Bell Rings〉, which captures the erased time of the forest behind the glamorous stage that the world is excited about, will visit theaters nationwide on November 12, ahead of the upcoming 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.