Director Na Hong-jin of the film "HOPE" has been selected by prominent American entertainment and film media outlet The Hollywood Reporter as one of the 30 most powerful genre filmmakers.
The Hollywood Reporter introduced Director Na Hong-jin as a South Korean master who has built an international fan base ranging from arthouse film fans to action movie fans.
Also making the list are Mexican master Guillermo del Toro, who won the Academy Award for Best Picture with "The Shape of Water"; Ryan Coogler, creator of "Black Panther" and "Sinners"; Ari Aster, well known in South Korea for "Hereditary" and "Midsommar"; and Sam Raimi, famous for "The Evil Dead" and the "Spider-Man" series.
Along with this selection, a special interview with Director Na Hong-jin is set to be released by The Hollywood Reporter. The interview covers his genre-spanning cinematic world and the behind-the-scenes stories of his return with his fourth film, "HOPE," following "The Chaser," "The Yellow Sea," and "The Wailing."
Director Na Hong-jin's fourth feature film, "HOPE," begins when Beom-seok, the head of the Hopohang branch office located in the Demilitarized Zone, hears news from local young people that a tiger has appeared, leading to an extraordinary reality as the entire village goes on high alert. Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, and Jung Hoyeon star in the film. It was released domestically in South Korea on July 15 and drew 4.53 million moviegoers nationwide.
Having concluded its domestic theatrical run, "HOPE" is now targeting the U.S. market. It is scheduled to open in approximately 1,500 theaters across North America on September 9. This marks the largest-scale release for a South Korean film in North American history since "Parasite." Unlike "Parasite," which opened with a limited release and gradually expanded its theater count, "HOPE" will meet audiences across North America with a wide release right from the start, a move that highlights the high local anticipation for the film.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)