(London East Asia Film Festival)

South Korean historical film "The Fortress" has been chosen to open the 2nd London East Asia Film Festival (LEAFF) next month in London, the festival's website revealed Friday.

The film starring Lee Byung-hun, Kim Yun-seok, Go Soo and Park Hae-il will head 44 titles to be screened from Oct. 19-29 at LEAFF, the largest Asian film festival in Britain. A total of 18 Korean movies, including "The Fortress," "Anarchist," "The Battleship Island" and "The Table" were invited to this year's event.

Directed by Hwang Dong-hyuck, best known for "Miss Granny" (2013), "The Fortress" follows King Injo of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) as he and his officials take refuge for 47 days in Namhan Mountain Fortress near Seoul from an invasion by China's Qing Dynasty. While suffering from cold and hunger there, the officials have a heated debate over whether or not to surrender and forge ties with the new Chinese dynasty. The movie is set to premiere Oct. 3 in South Korea.

"This year's festival will be funded by the state-run British Film Institute (BFI) for the first time," said Jeon Hyeong-jung, executive director of LEAFF. "The fest's official trailer attracted more than 4,000 views in just three hours when it was released, which shows local people's avid interest in the upcoming event." (Yonhap)