"No Nationality in Movies"...Will Song Kang-ho and Koreeda, Loved by Cannes for 'Broker', Make History Again?[Summary]

Movie 'Broker' Production Report Event
Meeting of Song Kang-ho and Director Koreeda Hirokazu
Selected for Competition at the 75th Cannes Film Festival

Photo by Showbox, CJ ENM

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Iseul] Two Korean-Japanese filmmakers who previously took turns winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes have come together with "Broker." Will director Koreeda Hirokazu and actor Song Kang-ho bring good news from Cannes again this year?

On the morning of the 10th, at the production presentation of the film "Broker" held at Yongsan CGV in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Song Kang-ho said, "I felt that films have nothing to do with nationality," adding, "I am excited and grateful to be able to greet you together at this moment."

Director Koreeda Hirokazu, who won the Jury Prize at the 66th Cannes Film Festival for "Like Father, Like Son" (2013) and the Palme d'Or at the 71st Cannes Film Festival for "Shoplifters" (2018), and Song Kang-ho, the lead actor of the Palme d'Or-winning "Parasite" at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival and appointed as a jury member at the 74th Cannes Film Festival, have met again with "Broker."

"Broker" has been invited to the competition section of the 75th Cannes Film Festival, held in Cannes, France, from the 17th to the 28th. It will be unveiled through a premiere screening at the Lumi?re Theater, where lead actors Song Kang-ho, Gang Dong-won, IU (Lee Ji-eun), and director Koreeda Hirokazu will meet the Cannes audience.

When asked if he expects to win an award, Song Kang-ho replied, "Film festivals are a place of celebration. Unlike sports, I don't think you have to achieve any particular result." He added, "I don't think actors act to win awards. I am always grateful to achieve good results and be recognized, but I don't have high expectations."

Director Koreeda Hirokazu expressed his thoughts, saying, "I am glad to be able to present a film at Cannes," and "I was able to make a good start."

Gang Dong-won, who received his second invitation after the official selection of "Peninsula" (2020) at Cannes, said, "I was disappointed not to be able to go to Cannes because the festival was held online and only the selected works were announced, so I am happy to be able to go this year."

"Broker" is a film depicting an unexpected special journey of people connected around a baby box. Sang-hyun (played by Song Kang-ho) and Dong-soo (played by Gang Dong-won) secretly take a baby left in a baby box, but when the mother, So-young (played by IU), who left the baby, returns, the three set out together to find new parents for the baby.

Song Kang-ho plays Sang-hyun, who calls himself a broker of goodwill, revealing the face of a humane and unpretentious common man. Regarding him, director Koreeda Hirokazu said, "The character contains subtle intersections of evil. He is not monochromatic but shows various shades and is a great actor who deeply portrays characters."

A few years ago, director Koreeda Hirokazu, who visited a film festival, requested a meeting with Song Kang-ho. The director recalled the beginning of "Broker," saying, "I hoped to make a film together while exchanging greetings with Song Kang-ho and Gang Dong-won at various film festivals. Six years ago, a plot came to mind. The scene of 'Song Kang-ho dressed as a bride holding a baby with a kind appearance, but actually...'"

Regarding working with director Koreeda, Song Kang-ho nodded and said, "Great masters have something in common." He continued, "I had a prejudice that Japanese master directors would be meticulous, calculating, and pursue perfect direction," revealing, "He was free, comfortable, and respected the actor's emotions. He left everything to the actors. Although he must have had it organized in his head, on set, it was impressive how he listened to the actors' stories."

Director Koreeda Hirokazu, who sought advice from director Bong Joon-ho over a meal, said, "Bong said that although there might be anxiety about shooting a film abroad, once filming starts, you should entrust everything to Song Kang-ho. Song Kang-ho is like the sun, so the set will be brightly lit because of him, and the filming will go well. It was true when I actually worked with him. I was able to finish filming with peace of mind."

What kind of family will "Broker" depict? The director explained, "I wanted to portray the journey of a pseudo-family. In the background, there are people who have given up on family and those who still long to form a family." He added, "After finishing filming, I realized it became a story about a life. It was a story about how to protect a life that has been born."

Song Kang-ho and Gang Dong-won reunited after 12 years since "Secret Reunion" (2010). Gang Dong-won said, "The chemistry with Song Kang-ho was much better. Maybe because we are older, our conversations flowed better." Song Kang-ho said, "Gang Dong-won, who used to have youthful energy, has matured. You could say he is understanding life. There is also depth. Through this work, I felt his maturity."

IU, who challenged her first commercial film "Broker" as actress Lee Ji-eun, said, "I am happy to be invited to the Cannes Film Festival with my first film," adding, "Since it was my first time playing a mother, I tried smoky makeup and bleaching, which I usually don't try. It helped me immerse myself in the acting." Director Koreeda Hirokazu said, "I was impressed by Lee Ji-eun's performance in the drama 'My Mister' and really wanted to work with her."