Two Korean films were officially invited to this year’s Cannes Film Festival – Han Jae Rim’s Emergency Declaration and Hong Sang Soo’s In Front of Your Face.
In the official selection of the 74th Cannes Film Festival announced Thursday, Director Han’s new film Emergency Declaration was listed in the Out of Competition category. Emergency Declaration begins when an in-air flight gets caught up in an unprecedented natural disaster.
Thierry Fremaux, the director of the Cannes committee, shared, “I think Korean films are largely divided into writer-oriented films, historical works, and works that specify a specific genre. And Emergency Declaration is a work that specifies a specific genre. It’s a perfect genre film.”
Han expressed joy over the news, saying, “I hoped to provide hope, and warm comfort by presenting Emergency Declaration at a time when the entire world is suffering the pandemic.”
Director Hong Sang Soo’s In Front of Your Face was also named in the Cannes Premieres section, a new section that joined this year’s lineup. The new section will create a dedicated space for established filmmakers who previously played the festival, screening their wonderful work in the prestigious Debussy theater.
Fremaux shared, “I think he is a minimalist who makes personal films, and he is a director who inspires other film directors.” In Front of Your Face is Hong’s 11th film that was invited to Cannes. This makes Hong the Korean film director with the most Cannes invitations.
The Cannes Film Festival, which normally begins in May, has been postponed to July this year due to the COVID-19. The event will be held from July 6th to July 17th.
Source: Showbox, Jeonwonsa Film
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