Press Conference: "Secret Sunshine"

At the press conference held for the in-Competition presentation of Secret Sunshine, actors Jeon Do-yeon and Song Kang-ho appeared with director Lee Chang-dong to field questions
from journalists. Here are the highlights:

Lee Chang-dong on the city of Miryang: “Miryang is a typical Korean
city. It is an ordinary place. It has a lovely name, though, which means “secret sunshine.” I have always wondered why such a dull town had such a poetic name. The idea behind that choice of
title being that even in an altogether ordinary life, there can be a metaphysical quest.”

Lee Chang-dong on religion: “It is not a film about religion; it’s a film about people, whether they are religious or not. (…) Regarding my
reasons for choosing the Christian religion: mainly, because in Korea, there are many,
many Christians. And also, the themes of forgiveness and reconciliation are very strong in the Christian religion, which tries to give answers to human suffering, more than other
religions.”

Jeon Do-yeon on her work as an actress: “I made no preparations for the role, because these were feelings that were so foreign to me I couldn’t even
imagine them. Therefore, I live through the events in the life of Shin-ae, my character, at the same time as she does. (…) Secret Sunshine is my tenth film, but I feel
like I’m at the beginning of my career again, because this film renewed my energy so much.”

Song Kang-ho on his part: “I didn’t model my character on anyone in particular. But he’s the type of person one frequently meets in
Korea, so I was comfortable playing him.”

Lee Chang-dong on the fact that two Korean films (Breath and Secret Sunshine) were selected In Competition: “I doubt
that there’s any link between the number of films In Competition in a festival and recognition of a cinematography. Before a film has a nationality, it is the work of a team, of a special
creative spirit. However, it is true that having two films in Competition attracts attention for Korean cinema, and I hope the attention will give it even more energy.”

Lee Chang-dong on the beginning and end of the film: “I chose to begin the film with a shot of the sky and to end with a shot of just any piece of land,
even a fairly dirty one. By that, I simply meant to say that the meaning of life is not to be found in the sky, but on Earth.”

Lee Chang-dong on violence: “Generally speaking, cinema is increasingly violent. The particularity of Korean cinema, compared to American cinema, for
example, is that we have a much more realistic, rawer approach to violence. For example, Korean filmmakers will not show serial killers as charming characters.”