CJ ENM has once again proven its global prowess with the inclusion of I, The Executioner at the 77th Cannes International Film Festival’s Midnight Screening section. This marks a notable 7-year continuation of the company’s presence at Cannes, which began in 2016 with the competitive entry of The Handmaiden and has seen a remarkable streak, except for the years 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Director Ryoo Seung Wan’s latest film, I, The Executioner serves as a sequel to the beloved Veteran and builds on the story of high-stakes crime and relentless action. This year, CJ ENM’s participation in Cannes with ‘I, The Executioner’ reinforces its unique standing as the only Korean distributor to have achieved such consistent recognition at the festival, now totaling 14 films invited over the years.
Since its debut at Cannes with The Handmaiden in 2016, CJ ENM has consistently showcased a mix of artistic and commercial films. This strategy bore significant fruit in 2019 when Parasite won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival. The company continued its success in the following years, culminating in a historic moment at the 75th Cannes Film Festival in 2022, where Broker and Decision to Leave were both invited, earning Best Actor (Song Kang Ho) and Best Director (Park Chan Wook) awards, respectively.
Jerry Kyoungboum Ko, CJ ENM’s Head of Film Business, expressed his pride and anticipation, stating, “It is an honor to introduce ‘I, The Executioner’ to global filmmakers and audiences through the Cannes Film Festival. This, I believe, is the result of Director Ryoo Seung Wan’s potential and the timely message of the film, combined with its entertainment value. As CJ has expanded its network and infrastructure globally, this invitation to Cannes with ‘I, The Executioner’ allows us to once again elevate the status of Korean cinema worldwide.”
Meanwhile, I, The Executioner features a robust cast from the original detective team to newly joined faces such as Jung Hae In. After having its premiere at Cannes, it’s slated for a domestic release later this year.
Source: CJ ENM
