The movie 'HOPE' has released a review-making video that showcases its intense filming journey from the set to the Cannes Film Festival, along with positive international reviews.
'HOPE' [Director/Screenwriter: Na Hong-jin | Production: Posed Films | Co-production: Plus M Entertainment, Westworld Co., Ltd. | Presented/Distributed by: Plus M Entertainment], which opens on July 15th, tells the story that begins when Beom-seok (played by Hwang Jung-min), the head of the Hopo Port Outpost located in the Demilitarized Zone, hears news of a tiger's appearance and faces an unbelievable reality. Following its record-breaking rise to the number one advance booking rate this year, the film is drawing anticipation with high pre-sales figures.
The released video shows the director, staff, and actors completing the film through intense deliberation based on deep trust. Hwang Jung-min conveyed the original charm of the story depicting an incident occurring in the village. Jo In-sung, who performed high-intensity action sequences himself, revealed his passion, stating that he filmed to the point of exhaustion and confirmed the quality of the results with his own eyes. Jung Ho-yeon, who performed car chasing and gunfire scenes, sparked curiosity about thrilling action sequences by mentioning that she fired 1,200 rounds.
The staff's exceptional efforts also shined. Cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo completed cinematic pleasure and original visual aesthetics through constantly moving cameras, and martial arts director Yoo Sang-seop maintained realism for tense pursuit action. Production designer Lee Hu-gyung, who implemented the Hopo Port set by remodeling the Haenam village area where actual residents live, heightened immersion by carefully attending to details including alien traces and destroyed buildings.
After being selected for the competition section of the Cannes Film Festival and having its world premiere, the film has been followed by enthusiastic praise from prestigious overseas media outlets. Alongside compliments describing it as an unbridled outpouring of frenzied adrenaline, Director Na Hong-jin has been evaluated as making a comeback with an overwhelming work that makes his previous films feel like mere warm-ups. In particular, the opening hour has drawn acclaim as a 100% pure blockbuster that demonstrates true cinematic achievement, promising an overwhelming cinematic experience.
