The film "Possible Love" is set to meet viewers around the world on Netflix.
"Possible Love" tells the story of two married couples—a laid-off worker and his wife, and a documentary director and her husband—who come together to produce a documentary and confront their contrasting lives and concealed desires. Honored with the Grand Jury Prize at this year's Venice International Film Festival, the film is a masterwork showcasing the dignity and depth of "master" director Lee Chang-dong.
Following its early theatrical release on September 23, the film will connect with global audiences through its main platform, Netflix. Moving beyond traditional movie screens to television and mobile devices, it guarantees the convenience of watching from anywhere, at any time.
Netflix made its full entry into the South Korean film market in 2020 by directly investing in and distributing domestic titles. While its previous offerings leaned heavily toward pure entertainment, "Possible Love" aims to be a masterpiece. It stands as an exceptional cinematic piece brought to life through the seasoned direction of Korean film icon Lee Chang-dong and standout performances from Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung, and Cho Yeo-jeong, some of the leading actors of Korean cinema.
Ahead of the film's premiere, story stills unveiled on November 3 highlight intriguing dynamics among the four characters.
At the funeral of a laid-off worker, Hoseok (Sul Kyung-gu) expresses anger toward documentary director Yeji (Cho Yeo-jeong), who is holding a camera, while his wife Mi-ok (Jeon Do-yeon) tries to restrain him. The scene captures the stark divide in perspectives surrounding the documentary filming and signals palpable tension right from their very first encounter.
In another still, Mi-ok is seen sitting for an interview with Yeji in the yard of her home, raising anticipation about what she will share in front of the lens. Meanwhile, the expressions of Mi-ok and Hoseok sitting side by side sharing drinks reflect the enduring hardships they have faced together as a dismissed laborer and his wife, deepening curiosity about their inner emotions.
In the second half of the year, "Possible Love" will embark on its Oscar campaign targeting next year's Academy Awards in the United States. The film has earned three nominations at the upcoming U.S. Gotham Awards, taking place on November 30: Best International Feature, Outstanding Lead Performance (Jeon Do-yeon), and Best Screenplay (Lee Chang-dong, Oh Jung-mi).
With its worldwide debut on Netflix scheduled just ahead of the awards season, the film is expected to kick off its Oscar run backed by acclaim and positive word of mouth from international audiences.
The only concern lies in viewers watching it in fragmented segments. Without the physical enclosure of a theater, audiences must actively immerse themselves in the story to fully appreciate the world and message crafted by the director and cast. While the running time is 164 minutes, the narrative promises a deep and lingering resonance that will not be easily forgotten.
"Possible Love" premieres November 6 on Netflix.
ebada@sbs.co.kr
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)
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