NA Hong-Jin © 2016 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
From Chugyeokja (The Chaser) to Hopeu (Hope), a look back at Na Hong-jin’s journey at Cannes
This is one of the most highly anticipated returns in genre cinema. After a 10-year absence, the South Korean director Na Hong-jin comes back with Hopeu (Hope), presented in Competition. The filmmaker has had a special relationship with the Festival de Cannes right from the start since all his feature films have been shown here. A close-up of this exceptional Cannes journey.
2008: Chugyeokja (The Chaser)
Na Hong-jin’s Cannes adventure begins in 2008 with Chugyeokja (The Chaser). Presented at the Midnight Screenings, this thriller about an ex-police officer on the hunt for a serial killer made headlines. Even at the time, South Korean cinema had already captured our imagination with directors such as Park Chan-wook or Bong Joon-ho. But Na Hong-jin is a brand unto himself portraying physical chaos in an atmosphere laced with stifling tension and dry violence.
2011: Hwanghae (The Yellow Sea)
Three years later, in the Un Certain Regard selection, the director presents his film Hwanghae (The Yellow Sea). This new feature film unfolding throughout Korea, stuns viewers with thrilling chases, head-on violence, and frenzied, efficient direction. The movie firmly establishes Na Hong-jin as a major player in cult cinema.
2016: Gokseong (The Wailing)
2016 brings us Gokseong (The Wailing). Presented Out of Competition, this horror thriller film blends shamanism and police investigation. Injected with an oppressive mood and a convoluted plotline, Na Hong-jin achieves a rare feat, a cult filmmaker with only three feature films to his name.
2026: Hopeu (Hope)
Then followed ten years of silence. Na Hong-jin produced, wrote, and developed several projects, however, he stopped directing. Until Hopeu (Hope). The film takes place in the fictitious harbor village of Hopo Port, close to the demilitarized zone between the two Koreas. Na Hong-jin stays true to himself as he blends thriller, fantasy, and horror, once again blurring the genre lines.
Presented in Competition this year, the film marks an important stage in his journey, it’s the first time one of his movies competes for the Palme d’or. Hopeu (Hope) also hails the return of a South Korean film in Competition, it has been since 2022 with Heojil kyolshim (Decision to Leave) by Park Chan-wook, who is presiding over this year’s Feature Films Jury.
