[Here is Cannes] Park Chan-wook Plants the Seed of Trust in K-Movie at Cannes Film Festival

75th Cannes Film Festival Scene
'Decision to Leave' Fourth Competition Invitation
Triple Crown: Grand Prix, Jury Prize, Best Director Awards

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Cannes (France) = Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] There was a time when the Cannes Film Festival was not familiar with Korean cinema. It was merely regarded as films made in a small, peripheral country in the East. When the Busan International Film Festival was established domestically, Cannes began inviting films by directors such as Shin Sang-ok and Lee Chang-dong. It was only 19 years ago that Korean films started being officially invited to the competition section.

In 2003, director Park Chan-wook’s "Oldboy" won the Jury Prize at the 57th Cannes Film Festival, raising awareness of Korean cinema. At that time, jury president Quentin Tarantino was so captivated by "Oldboy" that he wanted to award it the Palme d'Or, but faced opposition from other jurors and the film ended up receiving the Jury Prize instead. Many filmmakers such as Lee Chang-dong, Hong Sang-soo, Kim Jee-woon, and Bong Joon-ho have persistently knocked on Cannes’ door, showcasing their outstanding cinematic worlds. It is undeniable that director Park was the first to plant the seed of trust in Korean cinema.

He participated in the competition section for the fourth time at the 75th Cannes Film Festival with the Korean film "Decision to Leave," released six years after "The Handmaiden," which was invited to the competition section in 2016, following "Oldboy" (Jury Grand Prix, 2004) and "Thirst" (Jury Prize, 2009).

On the evening of the 29th at 8:30 PM (local time), Park Chan-wook received the Best Director Award at the closing ceremony held at the Lumi?re Theater in Cannes, France, during the 75th Cannes Film Festival. Known for captivating audiences with intense themes and expressions that crossed boundaries and taboos, Park was praised for a completely different new cinematic world through the investigative melodrama "Decision to Leave."

On stage, director Park said, “Movies have also experienced an era when theaters lost their audiences, but it made us all realize how precious movie theaters are. Just as we have the hope and strength to overcome this disease, I believe that we filmmakers will protect movie theaters and keep cinema alive forever,” expressing his deep affection for film.

After the closing ceremony, director Park met with Korean reporters at the press room of the Palais des Festivals, the base of the 75th Cannes Film Festival, and suggested the future direction for Korean cinema.

“My film 'Decision to Leave' features a Chinese actress (Tang Wei), and 'Broker,' which won Best Actor for Song Kang-ho, was written and directed by a Japanese director. The exchange of human resources and capital in Asia is meaningful. I have seen many European countries collaborate to make great films, and I am proud that Korea is at the center of this. I hope such exchanges become more active and lead to more films.”

As director Park said, the possibility discovered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival is that the borders of cinema have collapsed. Until now, Asia has had relatively little collaboration compared to Europe due to cultural differences. The content market has changed rapidly in recent years, and the status of K-movies has risen. Expectations are growing that the filmmakers active at this year’s Cannes will play a role in making Korea the hub of Asian content. Furthermore, it is time to acknowledge the absence of a second Park Chan-wook or Song Kang-ho and prepare for the future with active investment in new faces and possibilities.

Cannes (France) = Reporter Lee Isul