By Yoon Hee Young



Bong Joon-ho, who directed the 2019 Palme d'Or winner "Parasite," on July 6 declared the opening of the 74th Cannes Film Festival. In a surprise, he appeared at the festival to formally open the event in Korean along with American actor Jodie Foster, Spanish director Pedro Almodovar and American director Spike Lee, who was also the first black jury president in Cannes history.


Bong on July 7 also attended as a guest "Rendez-vous avec," an event in which global film celebrities speak to the audience. He answered questions on topics like his motivation to become a director, his perspective of the Korean film industry and his next film.


Actor Song, who played a leading role in "Parasite," was the first Korean male actor appointed to the jury of this year's competition section. He told a media event for this year's jury on July 6, "I was skeptical over whether the festival could be held this year because of the threat of the pandemic," he said. "That we can gather here is a miracle and I feel honored and grateful about it."

"Emergency Declaration," a disaster-action thriller directed by Han Jae-rim, was invited to the Out of Competition category at Cannes. Starring Song, Lee Byung-hun, Im Si-wan and Jeon Do-yeon, the film on July 15 was screened first to Cannes-based reporters and on July 16 to the international media and audience at a premiere shown at the Grand Lumiere Theater. The screening had four rounds of applause and a 10-minute standing ovation as the credits rolled.

Director Hong Sang-soo's newest film "In Front of Your Face" was invited to the newly created Cannes Premiere section, which honors works by globally renowned directors. Hong received his 11th official Cannes invitation for this film, the most for a Korean director. His movie was screened on July 15 but he and his cast decided not to attend the festival.


"Cicada" directed by Yoon Dae-woen on July 15 won second prize in the competitive section Cinefoundation, which recognizes talented new filmmakers and honors short to medium-length films directed by students from film schools. Yoon majored in filmmaking at Korea National University of Arts in Seoul and "Cicada" was his senior project.

Actor Lee Byung-hun on July 17 became the first Korean to appear at the festival's grand finale. Presenting the award for Best Actress, he said, "This year's festival is very special to me since director Bong Joon-ho, who opened the event, and actor Song Kang-ho, who is a jury member this year, are my colleagues." 

"It is also very special since the jury president Spike Lee and I have the same surname," the  actor said in a witty speech that made the audience laugh and applaud and caused Spike Lee to smile. Leaving the stage, Lee Byung-hun exchanged a high five with Song, who was sitting in the jury section.

hyyoon@korea.kr