Hong Sangsoo's New Film Invited to Berlin Film Festival Competition Section... 6 Consecutive Years

Director Hong Sangsoo's 33rd feature film, 'What Does the Nature Say to You,' has been invited to compete in the main competition at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, which will be held next month. With this, Director Hong will have had films featured at the Berlin International Film Festival for six consecutive years since 2020.

The Berlin Film Festival Executive Committee held a press conference on the 21st (local time) to announce 19 films invited to the competition section. Jacqueline Lyanga, a programmer at the Berlin Film Festival, praised Director Hong's new work, saying, "It once again shows that no director matches Hong Sangsoo in delivering a sweet yet sour comedy that offers deep insight into the flow of human relationships."

AFP Yonhap News

'What Does the Nature Say to You' tells the story of Donghwa, a poet in her 30s, who accidentally visits her lover Junhee's house. The film stars Ha Sung-guk, Kwon Hae-hyo, Jo Yoon-hee, Kang So-i, and Park Mi-so. Director Hong took charge of directing, producing, writing, cinematography, editing, and music, while Kim Min-hee participated as the production manager. The film is scheduled to be released domestically in the first half of this year.

The Berlin International Film Festival, held from the 13th to the 23rd of next month, will also feature Director Bong Joon-ho's new film 'Mickey 17' in the Special Gala section and Director Min Kyu-dong's 'Pagua' in the Forum section, both making their premieres. In the competition section, alongside Director Hong's new film, works such as 'Blue Moon,' directed by Richard Linklater (USA) and starring Ethan Hawke, and 'Dreams,' directed by Michel Franco (Mexico), will compete for the top prize, the Golden Bear.