'Emergency Declaration' and 'In Front of Your Face' Head to Cannes Film Festival Non-Competitive Section (Summary)

Offline Event from Next Month 6 to 17
Opening Film 'Annette' Starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard

Director Han Jae-rim

Director Han Jae-rim's "Emergency Declaration" and Director Hong Sang-soo's "In Front of Your Face" have been officially invited to the Cannes International Film Festival, which opens on the 6th of next month.

The Cannes International Film Festival organizing committee announced the official selections for the 74th festival on the 3rd (Korean time). No Korean films were included in the competition section. However, "Emergency Declaration" and "In Front of Your Face" were selected for the non-competition section and the newly established "Cannes Premiere" section, respectively.

"Emergency Declaration" is an aviation disaster film depicting a plane that declares an unconditional landing in the face of an unprecedented disaster. A whopping 25 billion KRW was invested in its production. The cast includes Lee Byung-hun, Song Kang-ho, Jeon Do-yeon, Kim Nam-gil, Im Si-wan, Kim So-jin, and Park Hae-joon. Thierry Fr?maux, the executive director of the Cannes International Film Festival, described it as "a work with very prominent genre characteristics." Director Han said, "I hope it brings hope and comfort to everyone struggling due to COVID-19."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

"In Front of Your Face" is a drama starring Lee Hye-young, Jo Yoon-hee, and Kwon Hae-hyo, produced by Kim Min-hee. It was filmed before "Introduction," which won Director Hong the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay at the Berlin International Film Festival in March. The plot and subject matter have not been disclosed. This invitation marks Director Hong's eleventh work to be screened at the Cannes International Film Festival.

The Cannes Premiere section showcases works by globally renowned directors. In addition to "In Front of Your Face," films such as "Deception" by Arnaud Desplechin, "Hold Me Tight" by Mathieu Amalric, "Cow" by Andrea Arnold, and "Mothering Sunday" by Eva Husson were invited. Executive Director Fr?maux described Director Hong as "a minimalist who makes personal films" and said, "I think he inspires other directors."

This year's Cannes International Film Festival was postponed by two months due to the spread of COVID-19. It will be held from the 6th to the 17th of next month in Cannes, a resort town in southern France. The opening film is the musical "Annette (France)" directed by Leos Carax. It tells the story of stand-up comedian Henry, who loses his wife Ann in an accident and raises their daughter Annette alone. Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard star in the film.

Movie 'Annette' Still Cut

Additionally, twenty-three other films will compete for the Palme d'Or in the competition section. These include "About My Wife (Hungary)" starring L?a Seydoux, "Benedetta (Netherlands)" directed by Paul Verhoeven, "Bergman Island (France)" starring Mia Wasikowska and Tim Roth, "Drive My Car (Japan)" directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, and "Flag Day (USA)" directed by Sean Penn. The jury president is director Spike Lee, known for directing "Do the Right Thing" (1989).