[Interview] Park Chan-wook "How Hard Must Love Be to Need 'Decision to Leave'"

75th Cannes Film Festival Best Director Award for 'Decision to Leave'
"A Classic Elegant Love Story"
"Thoughtful Tang Wei and Park Hae-il Are a Perfect Match"
Next Project Stars Rodaje in HBO Drama

Director Park Chan-wook / Photo by CJ ENM

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] "I wanted to create a classical and elegant love story." Director Park Chan-wook said this during an interview held on the afternoon of the 24th about 'Decision to Leave.' He explained, "Purity doesn't mean returning to a child's world or including political messages or the director's assertions. I wanted to make a film that evokes emotion simply and concisely, without cinematic spectacle or gimmicks." He added, "I was worried it might seem old-fashioned, but I also hoped it could appear fresh in modern times."

With his sixth Korean film 'Decision to Leave,' Director Park won the Best Director award at the 74th Cannes Film Festival last May. This is his third award in the competition section, following 'Oldboy' (2004, Jury Prize), 'Thirst' (2009, Jury Prize), and 'The Handmaiden' (2016, Official Selection).

'Decision to Leave,' which opens on the 29th, tells the story of a detective investigating a death in the mountains who meets the deceased's wife and simultaneously feels suspicion and interest. The film speaks of love through the relationship between the suspect and the detective. Director Park pointed out the difference from traditional film noir by saying, "Seo-rae (played by Tang Wei), whom I initially thought was a femme fatale using the investigator, acts in ways that break genre conventions and clich?s."

During the tense investigation to uncover the truth, a subtle atmosphere develops between the detective and the suspect, who feel curiosity and affinity toward each other. Director Park deliberately excluded explicit sex and violence from the film. The depiction of love carries an elegant tension.

"I didn't ask the actors to make expressions to create an erotic feeling or set up any particular shots. I didn't try especially hard to portray sensuality. I believe the audience's feelings of 'erotic' or 'sexy' are proof of how mental love is. Rather than physical touch, the interest born from love moves people's hearts and even induces sexual pleasure."

Photo by CJ ENM

He also explained the meaning behind the film's title, 'Decision to Leave.' Director Park recalled, "At first, people around me said it sounded like an indie film title. I wondered if indie films had their own kind of titles and argued against that."

"I often come up with film titles while talking with writer Jung Seo-kyung, and during the treatment writing process this time, I suddenly thought, 'Ah! This sounds like a title.' What I liked about it was that I thought the audience wouldn't take the words literally. Usually, when people make a decision, success is rare, right? The word 'decision' implies action but often leads to 'failure.' It also evokes images of deciding to part ways but ultimately not being able to or parting painfully. It made me think how difficult love must be to require such a decision."

Regarding actors Park Hae-il and Tang Wei, who played the detective and the suspect, he said, "Thoughtful and caring people naturally came together well." Director Park added, "Acting is interaction. It's about relying on each other and exchanging emotions. The two actors were moved by each other and worked while giving and receiving that emotion."

After completing 'Decision to Leave,' Director Park Chan-wook will direct an HBO drama based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel 'The Sympathizer' from 2016. The lead role will be played by actor Robert Downey Jr. He also revealed that he is preparing several films with strong themes of violence, sex, and nudity.

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