Lee Chang-dong's 'Possible Love' Wins Grand Jury Prize at Venice Film Festival… Elegance Reflected in Acceptance Speech

Director Lee Chang-dong's film 'Possible Love' has won the Silver Lion (Grand Jury Prize) at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.

At the closing ceremony of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, held at 7 p.m. on September 12 (local time) at the Sala Grande theater on the Lido in Venice, Italy, 'Possible Love' received the Silver Lion (Grand Jury Prize) in the competition section.

Director Lee Chang-dong, who directed the film, took to the stage to receive congratulations from filmmakers worldwide as he embraced the Silver Lion handed to him by Director Johnnie To, who served as a juror and award presenter this year.

In his acceptance speech, Director Lee Chang-dong said, "Without the waiting and patience of so many people, this film would not have come into the world. I want to share the emotions I feel right now with everyone who made this film together. I thank Netflix for believing in this film and making its production possible. I thank the actors and staff who poured everything they had on set. Among them, I especially thank the four individuals who breathed life into this film: Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung, and Cho Yeo-jeong. This award belongs to all of you. In an era where labor is disappearing and human relationships are unraveling, I made this film to ask what cinema can do, and what cinema must do. I take receiving this award as an encouragement to keep asking those questions. Thank you."

With this honor, Director Lee Chang-dong achieved the feat of winning the Silver Lion (Grand Jury Prize) at Venice once again after 24 years, following his Silver Lion for Best Director for 'Oasis' at the 59th Venice International Film Festival in 2002.

A new milestone was also set in Korean cinema history. Director Lee Chang-dong's 'Possible Love' is the first Korean film ever to win the Grand Jury Prize at the Venice International Film Festival.

At the press conference held immediately after the awards ceremony, Director Lee Chang-dong shared candid thoughts about 'Possible Love.' He heightened anticipation for future audiences by saying, "Through this film, as someone who makes cinema, I found myself thinking deeply about how I can capture the pain of others on screen. Often, movies bring the suffering of others or stories of people in pain into films and consume them as narrative elements. I wanted to ask myself—and share with the audience—the question of how filmmakers ought to portray the suffering of others. In doing so, I also came to think that through the very process of filmmaking, perhaps we could find ways to share that pain and heal together."

Jury member Director Johnnie To spared no praise for 'Possible Love,' remarking, "Among all the works Director Lee Chang-dong has created, I consider this film to be his most mature. Its style is also exceptionally delicate and subtle. I loved every detail in the movie and the reflections embedded within them, and I do not think I could ever make a film like this."

Meanwhile, the cast members staying in Toronto to attend the 51st Toronto International Film Festival also sent their congratulatory remarks. Jeon Do-yeon expressed her thoughts, saying, "I hope this award serves as great momentum for the director as he writes his next project. Seeing his win already makes me curious about what film he will present next." Sul Kyung-gu stated, "Just having participated in this film makes me deeply moved, and I am sincerely proud of it."

Zo In-sung conveyed his gratitude to Korean cinema fans, stating, "I am so grateful and honored that our project has received such a major award. I believe this precious fruit was made possible above all thanks to the dedication and support of those who have continually loved Korean cinema. Once again, I bow my head in deep gratitude." Cho Yeo-jeong shared her anticipation ahead of the upcoming release, saying, "I extend my congratulations and gratitude to the director for creating such a wonderful film. I hope we can meet more audiences as soon as possible and share the profound resonance this film brings."

'Possible Love' tells the story of two couples—a laid-off worker and his wife, and a documentary director and her husband—who meet to produce a documentary and confront their contrasting lives and hidden desires. Featuring Director Lee Chang-dong's signature delicate perspective and restrained direction that gaze deeply into human relationships, emotions, and life choices, the film achieves a dense ensemble brought to life by Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung, and Cho Yeo-jeong.

Prior to winning the Grand Jury Prize, 'Possible Love' won the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Award in the competition section of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on Friday, September 11. The critics' federation praised the film, noting that it "depicts nuanced power dynamics with perfect pacing and multiple layers, exploring exploitation and class, disillusionment, love, desire, and the ethics of storytelling." This marks the first time in 24 years that Director Lee Chang-dong has won the FIPRESCI Award at Venice, following 'Oasis' in 2002.

Elevating the global standing of Korean cinema and heralding the return of a master through its Silver Lion (Grand Jury Prize) win at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, 'Possible Love' will be released in theaters on September 23 and made available on Netflix on November 6.

  

(SBS Entertainment News | Reporter Kim Ji-hye)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.