Hong Sangsoo's 'Introduction' Competes at Berlin Film Festival

Fifth Berlin Film Festival Competition Invitation
"Once Again Providing Great Joy and Challenge to the Audience Simultaneously"

Director Hong Sangsoo's new film "Introduction" has been invited to the competition section of the 71st Berlin International Film Festival.

The Berlin Film Festival Secretariat announced fifteen films invited to the competition section on the 11th (local time). Along with "Introduction," the lineup includes "Albatros (France)" directed by Xavier Beauvois, "Memory Box (France)" directed by Joanna Haji Thomas and Karil Jorey, and "Petite Maman (France)" directed by C?line Sciamma.

"Introduction" is Hong's twenty-fifth feature film. It highlights the journey of a young man, Youngho, as he visits his father, lover, and mother respectively. The cast includes Shin Seok-ho, Park Mi-so, Kim Min-hee, Kim Young-ho, Ye Ji-won, Ki Ju-bong, Seo Young-hwa, and Jo Yoon-hee.

Carlo Chatrian, the festival's artistic director, stated the reason for the invitation: "Hong's work deepens our understanding of the secret of art that operates in the gap between scenes and language." He added, "We are pleased to welcome Hong Sangsoo, one of the most original directors, again and expect that he will once again provide audiences with great joy and challenge."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This is the fifth time Director Hong has entered the competition section at the Berlin Film Festival. His previously invited works include "Night and Day (2008)," "Nobody's Daughter Haewon (2013)," "On the Beach at Night Alone (2017)," and "The Woman Who Ran (2019)." Hong won the Silver Bear for Best Director for "The Woman Who Ran," and Kim Min-hee won the Silver Bear for Best Actress for "On the Beach at Night Alone."

Due to the spread of COVID-19, the Berlin Film Festival has been postponed by one month and will open online on March 1. "Introduction" will be screened as a world premiere and is scheduled to meet domestic audiences in the first half of the year.