"My Film Is a Commercial Movie for the Masses" Cannes Park Thirsty for Box Office Success

Director Park Chan-wook Has No Film Surpassing 5 Million Viewers After Cannes Film Festival Win

Director Park Chan-wook, who won the Best Director Award at the 75th Cannes International Film Festival for the film "Decision to Leave," is returning to Korea through Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport on the 30th. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

"With this award, I worry that I might be remembered as an art film director distant from the general public. I would appreciate it if you could discard such preconceptions." Director Park Chan-wook, who won the Best Director award at the 75th Cannes International Film Festival for Decision to Leave, said this as he returned to Korea through Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on the afternoon of the 30th. He added a pointed joke, saying, "Perhaps the film is so entertaining that it might be seen as not quite fitting with a place like the Cannes Film Festival."

This is his third award at Cannes. In 2004, he won the Jury Prize for Oldboy, and in 2009, the Jury Award for Thirst. These did not directly translate into commercial success. The former attracted 3,269,000 viewers in theaters, and the latter 2,237,271. Although he has directed about twenty films, none have drawn over 5 million viewers after winning at Cannes. The highest record is 4,287,839 viewers for The Handmaiden, released in 2016. He emphasized, "The films I make are always commercial films for the general public."

To continue directing despite poor box office performance, the involvement of famous actors is essential. Director Park said, "Actually, the award I wanted was Best Actor or Actress, but I ended up receiving an unexpected award." Although he said this, many actors are waiting for his casting offers. This is because Director Park has solidified the status of famous actors through his works and discovered outstanding newcomers. He has also worked with Hollywood stars such as Nicole Kidman, Florence Pugh, and Michael Shannon. His next project, Sympathizer, will feature Robert Downey Jr., who boasts the highest salary in Hollywood for Iron Man.

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