Hong Sang-soo Wins the Golden Leopard at Locarno
South Korea has long been known in the global film industry, thanks to award-winning movies, directors, actors and actresses, etc. Now, the country is even more famous with director Hong Sang-soo winning the Golden Leopard at the 68th Locarno International Film Festival.
Held in Locarno, Switzerland every year in August since 1946, it is accredited by the Fédération Internationale des Associations de Producteurs de Films (FIAPF) - International Federation of Film Producers in English. Its major feature is the open-air screening for more than 8,000 viewers at the Piazza Grande, one of the biggest open-air screens around the globe. Of course, we shouldn't forget the awards.
This year, Hong Sang-soo has earned the top prize - the Golden Leopard - for the best international film. He has impressed the jury - consisting of actress Moon So-ri, festival director Daniela Micheland, director Nadav Lapid, director Jerry Schatzberg and actor Udo Kier - with 'Right Now, Wrong Then'.
The 120-minute movie is a repetition of activities and conversations that happened between Ham Chunsu (a film director) and Yoon Heejung (an aspiring painter) in one day. It's like the same day happening twice, but the recurring element contains small details that give so much more meaning to the story. This aspect makes Hong's work captivating.
Lead actor Jung Jae-young has also been recognized for his portrayal of Ham Chunsu, helping him win the 'Best Actor' award. While it's the first Locarno accolade for a South Korean actor, actress Kim Ho-jung has won 'Best Actress' in 2001 for the movie 'Nabi'. And it isn't the first Locarno award for Hong. He has previously been awarded the 'Best Director' in 2013 for his film 'Our Sunhi'. The Golden Leopard award is the second for South Korea, after director Bae Yong-kyun won it in 1989 for 'Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East?'.
The fact that 'Right Now, Wrong Then' has been successful in Locarno probably makes South Koreans eager to watch it. Well, they'll have to wait for its release in September. They should also be on the lookout for the film's participation at the 40th Toronto International Film Festival on September 10-20. It's also included at the 53rd New York Film Festival on September 25 to October 11.
