Director Lee Chang-dong's new film 'Possible Love' invited to NYFF

Director Lee Chang-dong's new film, 'Possible Love,' marks his first release in eight years and is poised for a global rollout following interest from major international film festivals. The film was recently officially invited to the Main Slate section of the 64th NYFF. The Main Slate is the flagship section of NYFF, showcasing a curated selection of works from world-renowned masters and rising stars. With this invitation, Lee becomes the fourth director to be featured in the NYFF Main Slate, following his previous works 'Secret Sunshine,' 'Poetry,' and 'Burning.'

Dennis Lim, Artistic Director of NYFF, commented on the invitation, stating, "'Possible Love' is a work that demonstrates the most expansive horizons in Lee Chang-dong's filmography." He added, "It captures the various forces that govern life, such as labor, class, capital, art, and desire." Lim emphasized that the narrative structure and characters in Lee's work stand out within the contemporary cinematic landscape.

Venice Competition Entry and TIFF Best Director Award

'Possible Love' will make its debut in the competition section of the 84th Venice International Film Festival, held from September 2 to 12. Venice is considered one of the "Big Three" film festivals alongside Cannes and Berlin. This marks a significant challenge for Korean cinema, as it seeks a win in the Venice competition for the first time in approximately 14 years since Kim Ki-duk's 'Pieta' won the Golden Lion in 2012.

The film has also been selected for the Special Presentations section at the 51st TIFF. At TIFF, Lee Chang-dong will receive the 'TIFF Ebert Award,' presented to directors who present an original vision, making him the first Korean director to receive the honor. Lee is set to embark on an international festival tour spanning Italy and Canada before heading to the United States.

Narrative of Two Couples' Desires and Cast

'Possible Love' tells the story of two couples: a laid-off worker and his wife, and a documentary filmmaker and her husband. Meeting for a documentary production, these individuals lead different lives but find their respective desires and conflicting realities clashing during the filmmaking process. The cast features Jeon Do-yeon, Sol Kyung-gu, Cho Jin-woong, and Cho Yeo-jeong.

The first set of four production stills released captures the intricate relationships between the characters. Mi-ok (played by Jeon Do-yeon), the wife of the laid-off worker, shows a bittersweet expression despite a bright smile, while her sitting on a wooden platform with her husband Ho-seok (played by Sol Kyung-gu) gazing at the night sky illustrates their bond. Sang-woo (played by Cho Jin-woong) under a streetlight and Ye-ji (played by Cho Yeo-jeong) under a tree visually depict the intertwining lives of these different individuals. Following its domestic theatrical release on September 23, the film will be released worldwide via Netflix on November 6.

20 Films Competing in the Venice Competition Section

Lee Chang-dong previously brought Jeon Do-yeon a Best Actress award for 'Secret Sunshine' and won Best Screenplay for 'Poetry' at the Cannes Film Festival. His entry into the Venice International Film Festival competition section is a return to the top-tier stage, reminiscent of his appearance in the competition section approximately 24 years ago, where he won two awards.

A total of 20 films, including Danny Boyle's 'Ink,' Stéphane Brizé's 'Un Bon Petit Soldat,' Hirokazu Kore-eda's 'Look Back,' Nanni Moretti's 'It Will Happen Tonight,' Martin McDonagh's 'Wild Horse Nine,' and Lance Oppenheim's 'Prime Time,' are featured in this year's Venice competition section. Last year, Park Chan-wook's 'I Can't Help It' was invited to the Venice competition but did not secure an award.

Production Team and Filmography Connection

Co-produced by Fine House Films, Anonymous Content, and Now Film, 'Possible Love' is a Netflix original film. This new work serves as a continuation of Lee's filmography, spanning from 'Peppermint Candy' to 'Oasis,' 'Secret Sunshine,' 'Poetry,' and 'Burning.'