[ Cannes Interview① ] Lee Byung-hun "The Status of Korean Films Has Changed, I Feel Proud"

by Lee Yiseul

Published 17 Jul.2021 10:10(KST)

74th Cannes International Film Festival On-site Coverage
Interview with Actor Lee Byung-hun

attends EMERGENCY DECLARATION PHOTO SHOOT during the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on July 15, 2021 in Cannes, France.
attends EMERGENCY DECLARATION PHOTO SHOOT during the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on July 15, 2021 in Cannes, France.

[Cannes (France) = Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Actor Lee Byung-hun expressed his sense of the changed status of Korean cinema, saying, "I feel that the trust in domestic content has increased."

On the 17th (local time), Lee Byung-hun met with Asia Economy at a hotel restaurant in the southern French city of Cannes and shared his thoughts on attending the 74th Cannes International Film Festival and his determination as the first Korean actor to appear as an award presenter at the closing ceremony.

This year's Cannes Film Festival is special in many ways. Song Kang-ho, the lead actor of 'Parasite,' which won the Palme d'Or for the first time for a Korean film at the 72nd Cannes International Film Festival in 2019, is serving as the first male actor juror, and Lee Byung-hun will take the stage as an award presenter at the closing ceremony. Although director Park Chan-wook has presented awards before, this is a first for a domestic actor. This year's festival will be remembered as a historic event where director Bong Joon-ho declared the opening in Korean at the opening ceremony, and Lee Byung-hun closed the festival at the closing ceremony.

On the day, Lee Byung-hun wittily shared his impressions of the festival, saying, "I was surprised. Director Bong Joon-ho gave the opening remarks, Song Kang-ho is one of the jurors, and I am presenting an award. In such aspects, I didn't know if I was in Cannes or Korea."

Lee Byung-hun said he was not sure if this year's Cannes Film Festival would be held as scheduled. He recalled, "When I first heard about the invitation, I was half in doubt whether I could go to Cannes. Fortunately, I got vaccinated and came with a worried heart, but when I arrived, I was surprised. A picturesque sky unfolded, and the faces of happy people felt unreal."

He then showed a relaxed smile, saying, "The jet lag is off, and the surreal scenery makes me go back and forth between reality and unreality as I carry out my schedule in Cannes."

Lee Byung-hun first walked the Cannes red carpet as the lead actor of 'A Bittersweet Life' (2005), which was invited to the Midnight Screening at the 58th Cannes International Film Festival. He shared his special feelings by posting a photo taken at the press conference at that time on his Instagram, recalling those days in Cannes.

Photo by Lee Byung-hun Instagram

When asked if he remembers the first day he came to Cannes, he said, "'A Bittersweet Life' Midnight Screening ended at dawn, but we couldn't help having a drink among ourselves. I had just fallen asleep after drinking when my manager woke me up. It was a call from CAA, the American management company I have been working with. We had our first meeting and have continued working together since. That connection continues to this day," sharing his special feelings.

The glory of 'Parasite,' which won the Cannes Palme d'Or and became the first film to win four Oscars, was not achieved overnight. It is the achievement and brilliant result built up by many Korean filmmakers over a long time. Before 'Parasite,' there was Lee Byung-hun. As a first-generation actor who entered Hollywood, he was the first to be officially recognized on the international stage. His feelings about 'Parasite's' award must have been special.

Lee Byung-hun nodded and said, "Of course, I was envious. I cheered while watching the live broadcast at home. It was an amazing situation, and I felt it was truly remarkable."

"Thinking about how influential our country's films are to people all over the world, I feel a great sense of pride in what I am doing now and can act with confidence. If our film industry grows, it's good for me, and even better for the juniors. Isn't this a time to show the world 'this is Korean content'? I think there will be more interest in domestic content afterward. Looking back, film enthusiasts were interested in Mexican director I??rritu's works. But now, we all know that Mexican films are excellent. There are really many great directors. Isn't it our turn now?"

Lee Byung-hun said he realized at this Cannes Film Festival site that there is trust in Korean content. He said, "Foreign reporters deeply understood and talked about my previous works. No matter how much of a film reporter you are, can you watch all the films in the world? I felt there is a basic trust in Korean content."