Renowned director Lee Chang-dong, a master representing the Korean film industry, has shared his high praise for the film HOPE.
Director Lee attended a GV (Guest Visit) event held at Lotte Cinema World Tower on July 14, one day before the release of HOPE, to share his impressions and interpretation of the film.
He first drew attention by sharing an anecdote from a phone call he had with cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo, with whom he worked on the film Burning. Director Lee said, "I spoke with cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo shortly after he finished filming HOPE. When I asked him how it went, he said, 'I just shot a crazy film,' and I had a feeling. I was imagining a lot based on that short description of a 'crazy film' or an 'incredible film,' but after watching it, it was literally a crazy film."
He continued his glowing review, stating, "I thought HOPE was at the extreme point of entertainment films. I would like to call it the peak, or even beyond the peak. I think it is a film that pushes every element we can feel in cinema—tension, suspense, impact, and speed—beyond their limits. I felt truly grateful that such a film was made."
Regarding the film's new cinematic attempts, Director Lee said, "I am grateful purely as an audience member, but also as someone who makes films, I am thankful for the opening of a path that no one has taken before. I felt a lot about things beyond a certain limit that I had not even imagined. I felt that they technically expanded and boldly executed things that had not been done before."
Director Lee's assessment of the action sequence that decorates the latter part of the film was also impressive. He said, "The film became more interesting as it went on. I felt the latter part was particularly overwhelming. The scene where 'Seong-gi' crosses over on horseback should not just be described as interesting. It's crazy. If it weren't for actor Jo In-sung, it would have been difficult to establish the important center of gravity for the film. It is truly amazing."
In addition, he added, "One should call it the 'Na Hong-jin' genre," and expressed his affectionate feelings toward his junior director by saying, "Although genre films are bound to follow the grammar of their genre, the world of director Na Hong-jin is thoroughly rooted in Korean spaces and the appearance of Korean people."
When asked what kind of film he hopes HOPE will become, Director Na Hong-jin said, "I wanted it to be a different style from my previous works," and added, "I really want to emphasize that this is a film aimed at and created for a completely different point from my previous works."
HOPE is a story that begins when 'Beom-seok,' the head of a police substation in Hopohang located in the Demilitarized Zone, hears news from local youths that a tiger has appeared, leading to an emergency across the village as they encounter an unbelievable reality. The film, which was released on July 15, attracted 330,000 viewers nationwide on its first day, setting the record for the highest opening for a film released this year.
(SBS Entertainment News Reporter Kim Ji-hye)
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