The honoree of this year's Jecheon Film Music Honorary Award, honoring outstanding contributions to film music, is Éric Serra, one of France’s most celebrated composers. Beginning his professional career as a teenager in the late 1970s, Serra embarked on his film composing journey with Luc Besson’s debut film
The Last Battle(1983). Since this fateful collaboration, Serra has been known as "Besson's musical persona," working on nearly all of the director's films and crafting a distinctive sonic language. Drawing from his bassist background, his scores blend rock and electronic music to create experimental, original sounds that passionately and delicately evoke characters' inner emotions.
Tribute: Éric Serra, Le Grand showcases three carefully selected films spanning diverse genres and moods. These include The Big Blue, beloved in both France and Korea and praised for its artistry and commercial success; Leon, which perfectly conveys the bond between its two leads and established Serra's global reputation; and GoldenEye, which transformed the traditional orchestral James Bond theme into a groundbreaking electronic composition. These works transcend genre boundaries while highlighting Serra's unique musical voice.
The 21st Jecheon International Music & Film Festival also offers a rare chance to meet this legendary composer in person. A masterclass led by Serra and a special concert featuring his music will accompany film screenings, allowing audiences to experience firsthand the resonant waves his melodies create—reaching deeply beyond the screen. We look forward to sharing Éric Serra's profound musical presence in Jecheon.
