Colony officially made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival — and the late-night screening quickly turned into one of the festival’s buzziest events.
The film, directed by Yeon Sang Ho and starring Jun Ji Hyun, Koo Kyo Hwan, Ji Chang Wook, Shin Hyun Been and Kim Shin Rock, premiered in the festival’s Midnight Screening section on May 15th local time.
Set inside a quarantined building during a mysterious outbreak, Colony follows isolated survivors battling infected humans who evolve into terrifying and unpredictable forms.
The movie screened at Cannes’ famed Lumière Grand Theater, where all 2,300 seats reportedly sold out early, reflecting the intense anticipation surrounding the project.
Before the screening, the cast and director walked the red carpet to cheers from fans and flashing cameras from media outlets around the world. Even after delays pushed the event close to 1 AM, fans continued waiting outside the venue, with the Colony team stopping for photos, autographs and fan interactions throughout the night.
After the screening ended around 3 AM, fans were still gathered outside, chanting the actors’ names and even recreating the infected characters’ signature poses from the film. “That was exactly the kind of reaction I was hoping to see,” Yeon Sang Ho said afterward.
Adding to the excitement, this year’s Cannes jury president, Park Chan Wook, made a surprise appearance on the red carpet alongside General Delegate Thierry Frémaux.
Once the film ended, the audience erupted into applause, giving Colony a seven-minute standing ovation. Koo Kyo Hwan even recreated his now-viral eye-covering pose from the trailer as the cheers continued, while Jun Ji Hyun appeared visibly emotional as the crowd loudly called out her name.
“I’m truly honored to present ‘Colony’ at Cannes, something I’ve dreamed of for a long time,” Yeon Sang Ho told the audience. “This will remain one of the most unforgettable memories of my career.” He later thanked the crowd in French, saying, “Merci beaucoup.”
The film is already drawing strong early reactions from international critics and festival figures. New York Asian Film Festival executive director Samuel Jamier praised Colony for introducing “a new physical language to zombies,” calling it “formally innovative.”
French magazine Trois Couleurs highlighted the film’s immersive action and tension-filled sequences, while Next Best Picture editor Matt Neglia described it as “a nonstop thrill ride from beginning to end.”
Colony is set to open in theaters on May 21st.
>>Which Korean Film Will Dominate the Summer? ‘Colony’, ‘Hope’ or ‘Wild Sing’
In the meantime, watch trending K-dramas for free on Amasian TV.
Source: SHOWBOX
