[News Today] Na Hong-jin ‘Hope’ eyes Cannes award

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This year's Cannes Film Festival puts Korea in the spotlight. Park Chan-wook is serving as President of the Jury, the first Korean to hold the post. And three Korean films are being presented at the festival. All eyes are on Na Hong-jin's 'Hope', the only Korean film in competition, and whether it can bring home a prize.

[REPORT]

Director Park Chan-wook is the President of the Jury at the 79th Cannes Film Festival.

This year, three Korean films will be screened, including 'Hope', Korea’s first Competition title in four years.

The first Korean movie to meet the audience was 'Colony', a zombie flick by Yeon Sang-ho.

The energy-charged film highlights the problems of modern society using zombies as its subject.

Yeon Sang-ho / ‘Colony’ Director

I thought human individuality becomes powerless in a world of instant information. That was the starting point for this film.

Performances by Jun Ji-hyun, Koo Kyo-hwan and Ji Chang-wook drew a standing ovation lasting nearly seven minutes.

Koo Kyo-hwan / ‘Colony’ Actor

It felt like we were making a real film together. I wished the audience’s sounds could be included in our movie.

Director Jung July, who spotlighted youth labor in 'Next Sohee', was invited to Cannes this time with 'Dora', a film focused on healing.

Jung July / ‘Dora’ Director

My previous works were about suffering and death. This time I wanted to talk about overcoming something completely.

Director Na Hong-jin was selected for Cannes with 'Hope', his first new film in 10 years since 'The Wailing'.

Top actors from Korea and Hollywood came together to create a unique and unpredictable sci-fi thriller, drawing attention to its chances of winning an award.