The film "HOPE" is set to release in theaters around the world following pre-sales to over 200 countries and regions globally.
According to its investment and distribution company Plus M Entertainment, "HOPE" has confirmed its international theatrical releases starting in Taiwan on Friday, September 4, and North America on Wednesday, September 9, followed by Canada, Australia, the UK, Latin America, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam, and Singapore.
"HOPE" was planned as a global project targeting international markets beyond the domestic market from its initial planning stages. It premiered internationally at the Cannes Film Festival competition section last May, receiving an explosive response. International interest in "HOPE" naturally led to pre-sales.
Generating buzz by breaking the record for the highest overseas pre-sales for a Korean film, "HOPE" has partnered with NEON for English-speaking territories including North America, alongside other major global distributors and leading film companies such as MUBI, Focus Features/UPI France, and Sony Pictures Global Worldwide Acquisitions for its international rollout.
Meanwhile, ahead of its North American release in September, "HOPE" has continued to receive glowing reviews through premieres in Los Angeles and New York, emerging as a hot topic in local theaters and raising expectations for its global release.
In particular, international critics have continued to praise the recut version, which finely polished certain creature appearance scenes, sound, and editing following its premiere screening at the Cannes Film Festival. Film criticism outlet IndieWire praised the enhanced craftsmanship of "HOPE," stating, "The final cut is only about 4 to 5 minutes shorter than the Cannes screening version, but through the deletion, addition, and rearrangement of scenes, each narrative thread connects much more smoothly and the story flows more naturally," and adding, "The re-edited 'HOPE' is one of the best action films seen in recent years from start to finish."
"HOPE" begins when Beom-seok, the head of the Hopohang outpost located in the Demilitarized Zone, hears news from local youths about the appearance of a tiger, leading the entire village to fall into a state of emergency as they encounter an unbelievable reality. It was released domestically on July 15 and has drawn 4.23 million moviegoers to date.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)
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