Director Yeon Sang-ho: "Today's Fear Lies in Collective Intelligence and AI"

"Gunche" Receives Seven-Minute Standing Ovation at Cannes
Evolved Zombies Reflecting Collective Intelligence... 2,300 Seats Sold Out

"I created this film while asking myself, 'What is the fear of the world today?'" This is the background behind director Yeon Sang-ho's new work "Gunchae," which was presented at the Cannes International Film Festival. In an interview with the UK-based film magazine Screen Daily on May 16 (local time), he stated, "Following 'Train to Busan' (2016), I thought that if I were to make another zombie film, it would require a new kind of zombie."

Director Yeon Sang-ho.

He focused on collective intelligence formed through rapid information exchange, such as artificial intelligence (AI). He explained, "In modern society, it is a living organism," adding, "It suppresses individual opinions with universality and creates anxiety about the weakening of the group."

"Gunchae" deals with a mysterious mass infection outbreak in a high-rise building in downtown Seoul. The infected, who crawl around like beasts, evolve by sharing information with each other. They begin to walk on two legs and attack survivors in groups.

Director Yeon described the film as "a re-examination of 'Train to Busan' from the perspective of ten years later." He said, "If the previous film contained instinctive tension and capitalism in the zombies, this time, I combined the themes of modern society."

"Gunchae," which was screened at the Cannes Midnight Screening, sold out all 2,300 seats at the Lumiere Grand Theatre. After the screening ended past 3 a.m., there was a seven-minute standing ovation. Distributor Showbox has already sold screening rights to more than 120 regions, including North America, Europe, and Asia.

Still cut from the movie 'Gunchae'.

Director Yeon first attended Cannes in 2012 with the animated film "The King of Pigs." He recalled, "The film market left the strongest impression on me. Genre films from various countries were gathered together," and added, "That memory continues, and it feels as if I am still making films today."

Regarding whether he will continue making zombie films, he answered, "If more stories come up, I would like to keep writing." The novel "Dr. Apocalypse," published in March, is also about a surgeon who operates on zombies to explore the possibility of a cure. It contains ethical themes and presents a different perspective from previous works. The possibility of a film adaptation remains open.

"Lost Paradise," which tells the story of a child who went missing nine years ago and returns to their mother having grown up, is nearing the end of post-production. "Gas Human," for which he worked as producer and screenwriter, will be released on Netflix on July 2. The story revolves around mysterious beings who can freely transform their bodies into gas, and is based on the original 1960 work "Gas Human No. 1." The film is directed by Shinjo Katayama.

Director Yeon expressed optimism about the outlook for Korean cinema. "Although not a single Korean film was screened at last year's Cannes Film Festival, excellent films such as director Yoon Ga-eun's 'Master of the World' were released," he said. "As young directors are coming to the fore, the industry seems to have great potential."

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