The 75th Cannes, Korean Film The Sun Rises

Cannes Film Festival Opens on 17th
Park Chan-wook, Song Kang-ho, Koreeda, Tang Wei
Korean, Chinese, Japanese Filmmakers Compete
Lee Jung-jae & Jung Woo-sung's First Joint Red Carpet
Many Korean Filmmakers Gather

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Photo by DB of this publication, Artist Company, Tcast

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Since when did Cannes become like a next-door neighbor? The Cannes Film Festival, renowned for its highest prestige, is showing exceptional courtesy to Korean films this year. Cannes, known for its strictness and high standards, has embarked on a mission to host everything from regulars to surprise stars of 'K-Movie.' This is especially meaningful as it breaks down borders and unites through the language of 'film.' Elite filmmakers from Korea, China, and Japan have joined hands, and their films have been invited to the competition section at Cannes this year.

At the 75th Cannes Film Festival, held from the 17th to the 28th in the southern French city of Cannes, two Korean films have been invited to the competition section. When you think of 'Cannes,' director Park Chan-wook, actor Song Kang-ho, and Japan’s representative director Hirokazu Kore-eda come to mind, arriving one after another.

Song Kang-ho, the first male actor to serve as a jury member at the 74th Cannes Film Festival held last July and the lead actor of the 2019 Palme d'Or-winning film "Parasite" (directed by Bong Joon-ho), met with Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda in the film "Broker." Director Kore-eda is a master who won the Palme d'Or at the 71st Cannes Film Festival for "Shoplifters." The film "Broker," a collaboration between leading filmmakers from Korea and Japan, achieved the great honor of being invited to the competition section of the 75th Cannes Film Festival, which opens on the 17th.

Director Hirokazu Kore-eda and actors Song Kang-ho, Kang Dong-won, Lee Ji-eun (IU), and Lee Joo-young will attend the world premiere at the Grand Lumi?re Theater at 7 p.m. on the 26th. On the 27th, they will hold a press conference and meet with journalists from around the world.

"Broker" depicts an unexpected special journey of people connected through a baby box, and it is expected to deliver a profound message that resonates through society.

Director Park Chan-wook, known as 'Cannes Park,' is also heading to Cannes this year. This marks his fourth invitation to the competition section. Director Park and actors Tang Wei and Park Hae-il will attend the world premiere of "Decision to Leave" at the Grand Lumi?re Theater on the 23rd. On the 24th, they will hold a press conference to discuss the film.

Director Park previously received the Jury Grand Prix at the 57th Cannes Film Festival for "Oldboy," the Jury Prize at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival for "Thirst," and was invited to the competition section at the 69th Cannes Film Festival for "The Handmaiden." This year marks his fourth invitation.

"Decision to Leave" is a film about detective Hae-joon (Park Hae-il), who investigates a mysterious death in the mountains and meets Seo-rae (Tang Wei), the deceased’s wife, feeling both suspicion and interest. The film combines a detective story with a melodrama, and there is great anticipation about whether a work with a stylish mise-en-sc?ne will be born.

Lee Jung-jae, a 'world star' who gained global popularity last year with "Squid Game," is coming to Cannes not as an actor but as a director. Lee Jung-jae’s directorial debut "Hunt" has been invited to the Midnight Screening section of the non-competition category at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Director Lee and actor Jung Woo-sung will hold the world premiere of "Hunt" at the Grand Lumi?re Theater on the 19th. The 'Cheongdam-dong couple' is expected to heat up the nights at Cannes.

Both Lee and Jung previously attended Cannes: Lee with "The Housemaid," which competed in the 63rd Cannes Film Festival in 2010, and Jung with "The Good, the Bad, the Weird," invited to the non-competition section of the 61st Cannes Film Festival in 2008. This is the first time the two actors will walk the Cannes red carpet together for the same film.

Photo by Artist Company

Additionally, director Jung Joo-ri and actress Kim Si-eun of the film "Next Sohee," invited to the Critics' Week at the 75th Cannes Film Festival, are heading to Cannes, and actor Oh Kwang-rok will attend Cannes with the French feature film "Return to Seoul," invited to the Un Certain Regard section.

Director Moon Soo-jin’s "Dead Skin" has become the first Korean animation to enter the short film competition section. Furthermore, Heo Moon-young, executive director of the Busan International Film Festival, has been appointed as a jury member for Critics' Week and will be present at Cannes during the festival.

Shin Cheol, executive director of the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), is also heading to Cannes. On the morning of the 19th, Shin will give a presentation titled "The New Era of Festivals: Expanding beyond Hybrid" at the 'Festival Hub Conference' of the 75th Cannes Film Festival Film Market.