A day before the announcement of the official selections for the 79th Cannes Film Festival, attention is focused on whether Korean films can once again secure a place on the Cannes stage this year.
The Cannes Film Festival will announce the invited films in major sections, including the competition, on the 9th (local time). Usually, about 20 films in the competition institutional sector are disclosed first, and additional invitations are added just before the opening.
Last year no Korean film was invited to any official section. This is the first time in 12 years since 2013, prompting assessments that Korea's competitiveness at Cannes has taken a breather. However, the mood is different this year in that there are films being mentioned again as possible invites.
First, director Na Hong-jin's new film "Hope" is mentioned. Director Na was previously invited to Cannes' noncompetition section with "The Chaser" and "The Wailing." "Hope" is Na's first new work in about 10 years since "The Wailing," and is a global project starring Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Jung Ho-yeon, as well as Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander.
However, it is known that postproduction is currently underway, so the invitation status as of the announcement is fluid. Also, since the Cannes Film Festival keeps open the possibility of additional invitations, the films could still be included in the lineup later.
Director Yeon Sang-ho is reported to have submitted multiple films. With two films, "Crowd" and "Paradise Lost," director Yeon has a history of being invited to Cannes' midnight screening with "Train to Busan." Since both works have strong genre elements, they are more likely to be invited to noncompetition or side sections than to the competition institutional sector.
Director Jung Joo-ri's new film "Dora" is also mentioned among the candidates. Director Jung has maintained ties with Cannes, having been noticed for "The Diary of a Chambermaid" (literal: "Doh-hee-ya") and invited to Critics' Week closing with "Next Sohee."
Meanwhile, Korean cinema is set to make its presence felt in another way this year, with director Park Chan-wook serving as jury president of the competition. Park has longstanding ties with Cannes, winning the Grand Prix for "Oldboy" and the best director award for "Decision to Leave."
With the official invitation announcements a day away, the film industry is watching to see whether Korean films will return to the Cannes lineup.
[Photo] OSEN DB
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