"More Meaningful Interest in Film Themes Than Cannes Invitation"

'Heaven: Haengbogui Nara-ro (Working Title)' Officially Selected for Cannes International Film Festival
Choi Min-sik "Hope It Brings Comfort to Audiences in Difficult Times..."

Movie 'Heaven: To the Land of Happiness (working title)' still cut

“I believe that international interest in the film's theme is more meaningful than the invitation from the Cannes International Film Festival.” This was the comment made by actor Choi Min-sik upon the official selection of Heaven: To the Land of Happiness (working title) at the Cannes International Film Festival. On the 3rd (local time), the Cannes Film Festival Organizing Committee announced Heaven: To the Land of Happiness as one of the fifty-six official selections at the UGC Normandie Theater in Paris, France. The film depicts a special journey of prisoner number 203 (Choi Min-sik) and Nam-sik (Park Hae-il) as they seek their last happiness in life. Originally planned as a remake of the German film Knockin' on Heaven's Door, director Im Sang-soo personally wrote the screenplay and directed the film. A Cannes Film Festival official described it as “a film filled with melancholy and sorrow,” adding, “Some scenes give the film another dimension. Director Im Sang-soo’s self-deprecating humor also stands out.”

Cannes is not unfamiliar to Choi Min-sik. He has already attracted global attention three times with Chihwaseon (2002, feature competition), Oldboy (2004, feature competition), and The President's Last Bang (2005, Directors' Fortnight). Regarding his fourth official selection, he said, “I am happy.” He added, “I hope many audiences will love it, and above all, I hope this film can offer comfort during difficult times.” Park Hae-il, who is attending Cannes for the second time after The Host (2006, Directors' Fortnight), said, “It was a precious experience as an actor to work with director Im Sang-soo and senior actor Choi Min-sik, both of whom I wanted to collaborate with.” He also said, “I am honored and happy to enjoy this privilege thanks to the production team, including the two of them.”

Movie 'Heaven: To the Land of Happiness (working title)' still cut

Director Im Sang-soo is making his fourth appearance at Cannes. His film The President's Last Bang was featured in the Directors' Fortnight in 2005, and The Housemaid (2010) and The Taste of Money (2012) were invited to the feature competition. Upon receiving this fourth honor, he said, “It’s interesting that Cannes in the era of COVID-19 found Heaven: To the Land of Happiness intriguing,” adding, “I hope that after the COVID-19 situation settles, domestic audiences can find even a small comfort through this film.” Heaven: To the Land of Happiness, which proudly features the palm leaf emblem symbolizing the Cannes Film Festival, is scheduled to be released in the second half of the year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.