Cannes Film Festival opens today (12th)... First challenge for the Palme d'Or in 7 years since 'Parasite' [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

The Cannes International Film Festival sets sail. Korean cinema will once again challenge for the Palme d'Or seven years after director Bong Joon-ho's 'Parasite'.

The Cannes International Film Festival opened on the 12th (local time).

This year, director Na Hong-jin's new film 'Hope' has entered the competition section of the Cannes International Film Festival. This marks the first time a Korean film has entered the Cannes competition section since 2022, following director Park Chan-wook's 'Decision to Leave' and director Hirokazu Kore-eda's 'Broker'.

'Hope' is a story that begins with Pohang Outpost Commander 'Beom-seok', stationed in the demilitarized zone, hearing from local youths that a tiger has appeared, causing the entire village to go on high alert as he encounters an unbelievable reality. With overwhelming immersion, highly polished mise-en-scène, and exceptional direction, director Na Hong-jin's new film 'Hope', which has captivated audiences and critics alike after years of preparation, will be unveiled for the first time through the Cannes Film Festival World Premiere in May and is scheduled to meet audiences in theaters this summer.

Regardless of whether 'Hope' will be selected for the competition section Jin Chul-ha-myeo (수상), attention is already focused on it. Following director Bong Joon-ho's 'Parasite', which swept the world in 2019, interest is concentrated on whether director Na Hong-jin's 'Hope' will lift the Cannes Palme d'Or trophy.

This year, the film 'COLONY', directed by Yeon Sang-ho and starring Jeon Ji-hyun, Gu Kyo-won, and Ji Chang-wook, has entered the Midnight Screening section. 'COLONY' is a film depicting isolated survivors trapped inside a building sealed off by an unidentified infection outbreak, fighting against infected individuals evolving in unpredictable forms. This work marks Jeon Ji-hyun's return to the screen 11 years after the film 'Assassination'.

'Hope' is invited to the competition section, and 'COLONY' to the Midnight Screening section, as lead actors Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung, Jung Ho-yeon, and Jeon Ji-hyun, Ji Chang-wook, and Gu Kyo-won head to Cannes, France, holding hands with directors Na Hong-jin and Yeon Sang-ho.

Director Jeong Joo-ri's 'Dora' will also go to Cannes for the Directors' Fortnight. Director Jeong Joo-ri is making her third trip to Cannes, following 'Dong-hi-ya' in 2014 and 'Next Sohee' in 2022. 'Dora' is a work set in a seaside village, depicting the process of a girl and a woman with pain meeting and healing each other's wounds. It features I.O.I's Kim Do-yeon and Japan's Ando Sakura.

Meanwhile, this year's Cannes International Film Festival is drawing particular attention as director Park Chan-wook is appointed as a jury member for the competition section Shim Sa-wi (Director), the first Korean to hold this position. The 79th Cannes International Film Festival will open on May 12 and run until May 23 in and around Cannes, France.

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*This content was translated by AI.