'Hope,' a new SF alien film by director Na Hong-jin of 'The Wailing'... "Hopes for a sequel" [Cannes ★ On-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

Director Na Hong-jin's new film 'Hope,' released after a 10-year hiatus, made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, during which the director shared his thoughts on a potential sequel.

On the afternoon of the 18th, an official press conference for 'Hope,' a competition entry at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, was held at the Palais des Festivals in southern Cannes, France. Attendees included director Na Hong-jin, actors Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung, Jung Ho-yeon, Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, and Taylor Russell.

'Hope' is a story that begins with 'Beom-seok,' the head of the Pohang Outpost located in the Demilitarized Zone, who learns from local youths that a tiger has appeared, plunging the entire village into alarm as he encounters an unbelievable reality. This is the first film by director Na Hong-jin since 'The Wailing' 10 years ago. 'Hope' had its world premiere at the Grand Lumière Theater on the 17th, followed by approximately seven minutes of standing ovations after the screening.

Explaining why he decided to create such a large-scale SF film, director Na Hong-jin said, "At first, I wondered how I could try making a crime film and how I could make it different from my previous work, but the story eventually led to outer space. I pondered why people commit crimes, why violence occurs, and why social problems arise. In 'The Wailing,' we went in a supernatural and religious direction, but this time we went as far as outer space. As we ventured into space, aliens naturally appeared, and that became the starting point of this film."

When asked by reporters if they felt a sequel might be coming upon seeing the film's ending, director Na said, "I believe viewers will be able to guess what happens next after watching this film. I have also written out the story. I want to make it. If the opportunity arises, I certainly must."

Director Na added, "I will also strive to create that opportunity. Nevertheless, I believe the ending of 'Hope' now possesses perfect completeness. Although we are facing a crisis where we must write a new narrative for what comes next, I hope for a sequel."

Director Na explained, "After watching the film, viewers will be able to guess who will take up the baton for the subsequent story. There are such narratives. While the floating elements of this film are limited, the actual narrative is much larger and longer. This film also metaphorically depicts how bad things such as problems in the world, violence, and incidents occur and grow. I wanted to tell a story about how such things can grow to such an extent."

Meanwhile, the Cannes Film Festival will announce the winners among this year's competition entries at the closing ceremony on the 23rd. Attention is focused on whether director Na Hong-jin's new SF film 'Hope' will be honored with an award at the closing ceremony of this year's Cannes Film Festival.

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*This content was translated by AI.