'Miracle' Wins Top Honor at Udine Far East Film Festival

Golden Mulberry Award Wins Over 41 Competitors in Competition Category

The film "Miracle" received the highest honor, the Golden Mulberry Award, at the Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy, which concluded on the 30th of last month (local time), according to distributor Lotte Entertainment on the 3rd. The Udine Far East Film Festival, held in Udine in northeastern Italy, is the largest European film festival showcasing Asian films. The Golden Mulberry Award is given to the film in the competition category that receives the most audience votes. "Miracle" won the trophy, beating out 41 films including the Chinese films "Return to Dust" and "Too Cool to Kill." Sabrina Baracetti, the executive director, described it as "a drama that delivers laughter and tears while deeply touching the audience's hearts."

"Miracle" is a work inspired by Yangwon Station, Korea's first privately funded railway station. It tells the story of villagers who have only the railway tracks to travel on but no actual train station. The film stars Park Jung-min, Lee Sung-min, Im Yoon-ah, and Lee Soo-kyung. Director Lee Jang-hoon expressed, "I am deeply moved because the award was chosen directly by the local audience who watched the film." He added, "In a film market where movies have to be bigger and more sensational to stand out, I was wondering if it was time to stop telling stories like this, so I feel encouraged and happy that this award supports me." He previously directed "Be With You," starring So Ji-sub and Son Ye-jin, before "Miracle."