Hong Sangsoo Heads to Berlin for 7th Consecutive Year with 34th Feature Film

Starring Song Sunmi, with Kim Minhee as Production Manager
World Premiere on February 12

Director Hong Sangsoo will walk the red carpet at the Berlin International Film Festival for the seventh consecutive year with his 34th feature film, "A Traveler's Needs."

Distributor Finecut announced on the 15th that the executive committee of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival has officially invited Hong's new film, "A Traveler's Needs," to the Panorama section. With this, Hong has set a remarkable record, receiving invitations from Berlin for seven consecutive years with "The Woman Who Ran," "Introduction," "The Novelist's Film," "In Water," "In Our Day," "In Water," and now this latest work. Previously, he has won the Silver Bear five times at this festival, proving himself to be a director beloved by Berlin.

Tricia Tuttle, the festival's executive director, commented in her invitation, "This is a work that delicately explores perceptions of women and fame with strong empathy and humor," adding, "It elegantly reflects on what it means to live in the public eye."

The cast includes Song Sunmi, Jo Yoonhee, Ha Seongguk, and Shin Seokho, all members of the so-called "Hong Sangsoo troupe," who have joined forces once again. Hong's partner, Kim Minhee, participated as production manager, overseeing the set. The film will have its world premiere at the festival, which opens on February 12, and is scheduled to be released to domestic audiences in the first half of this year.