Park Chan-wook's "Decision to Leave" and Koreeda's "Broker" Enter Competition Section
Lee Jung-jae's Directorial Debut "Hunt" Officially Invited to Midnight Screening
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Director Park Chan-wook’s “Decision to Leave” and director Koreeda Hirokazu’s “Broker,” featuring a large cast of Korean actors, have been officially invited to the competition section of the 75th Cannes International Film Festival. Actor Lee Jung-jae’s directorial debut “Hunt” has been selected for the non-competition section.
The Cannes Film Festival Secretariat announced the official selections for this year’s festival at a press conference on the 14th (local time).
A total of 18 films were named in the competition section of the festival.
Director Park Chan-wook, who has a close relationship with the Cannes Film Festival, was officially invited to the competition section with “Decision to Leave.” Park’s first new work in six years, “Decision to Leave” depicts the story of detective Hae-joon (played by Park Hae-il), who investigates a suspicious death in the mountains and, after meeting the deceased’s wife Seo-rae (played by Tang Wei), experiences both suspicion and interest. The film stars Park Hae-il, Tang Wei, Go Kyung-pyo, Park Yong-woo, and Lee Jung-hyun.
Previously at Cannes, director Park Chan-wook won the Jury Prize for “Oldboy” and the Jury Award for “Thirst.” He was invited to the competition section in 2017 with “The Handmaiden.”
Director Koreeda Hirokazu’s film “Broker” was also selected for the competition section. “Broker” tells the story of people connected through a baby box, a place where those unable to raise a child can anonymously leave their baby. The film attracted attention with a golden lineup featuring actors Song Kang-ho, Kang Dong-won, Bae Doona, Lee Ji-eun, and Lee Joo-young.
Director Koreeda Hirokazu also won the Jury Prize at Cannes for “Like Father, Like Son” and the Palme d’Or for “Shoplifters.”
Lee Jung-jae, who rose to global stardom through “Squid Game,” made his directorial debut with “Hunt,” which was officially invited to the non-competition Midnight Screening section. The Midnight Screening section selects a small number of genre films worldwide?such as action, thriller, noir, horror, and fantasy?that combine artistic quality and popular appeal. Previous Korean films invited to this section include “The Chaser” (directed by Na Hong-jin), “Train to Busan” (directed by Yeon Sang-ho), and “The Outlaws” (directed by Byun Sung-hyun).
“Hunt” is a spy action drama about an ace agent of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency chasing the head of a North Korean spy network and confronting a huge truth. The film marks the reunion of Lee Jung-jae and actor Jung Woo-sung after 22 years since “No Blood No Tears.” Lee Jung-jae has the honor of making his Cannes debut with his first directorial work.
The 75th Cannes Film Festival will be held from May 17 to 28 in Cannes, a resort town in southern France.
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