Lee Chang-dong Calls Hope 'Insane' at Star-Studded Screening

Lee Chang-dong didn't hold back during a recent audience talk about Na Hong-jin's Hope, labeling it an "insane movie" and the pinnacle of entertainment cinema.

On July 15, at a packed event held at Lotte Cinema World Tower, Lee reflected on his experience watching the film, stating, "I felt that Hope represents the highest peak of entertainment cinema, beyond anything else."

The excitement around Hope, starring acclaimed actors Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung, and Jung Ho-yeon, was palpable. The film, set in a fictional port city near the demilitarized zone, finds its narrative propelled into chaos as extraterrestrial beings disrupt life in the town. With Hollywood veterans like Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander contributing their talents through motion and facial capture, the film showcases an ambitious scale that differs from Hong-jin's previous works.

Lee noted the film's ability to escalate tension, suspense, and pacing to extreme levels, expressing his gratitude, stating, "As a film lover, I am beyond grateful for a film that dares to tread into uncharted territory. Na Hong-jin’s creativity shines through in every aspect, creating a uniquely Korean cinematic experience."

After finishing production, Lee spoke with cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo, who remarked, "We just made an insane movie." This sentiment aligns with first reactions from audiences, who have flocked to theaters, leading to Hope surpassing 600,000 pre-sales on its opening day, a record for this year.

In particular, Lee praised Jo In-sung's performance, especially during the climactic action sequences where his character, Seong-ki, performs jaw-dropping stunts, including shooting guns while riding horses. "That scene where Seong-ki jumps over on horseback? That's not just entertaining, it's madness! Jo In-sung brought an irreplaceable weight to the film's narrative."

As excitement builds around Hope, Lee Chang-dong's accolades solidify its status within the Korean film landscape. The film is set to hit the theaters today and is already being touted as a major contender in the box office race this year.

Ultimately, the collaboration between Lee and Na reaffirms their positions as key figures in shaping contemporary Korean cinema. The buzz continues to grow as audiences eagerly anticipate Hope, which resonates with the complexity and boldness that fans of the genre have come to adore.