Renowned Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda has shown his support for director Yoon Ga-eun's latest film, 'The Owner of the World.'
'The Owner of the World' tells the story of Joo-in, an enigmatic 18-year-old high school girl who refuses to participate in a school-wide petition and begins receiving mysterious notes. The film has already made waves, winning two awards at the 9th Pingyao International Film Festival and receiving invitations from prestigious international film festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival.
Set to release on October 22, 'The Owner of the World' has been endorsed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, known for directing acclaimed films such as 'Monster,' 'Broker,' and 'Shoplifters.'
Yoon Ga-eun, who gained recognition for her debut film 'The World of Us' and her previous work 'The House of Us,' is celebrated for her ability to capture subtle and intricate emotions. She was even dubbed the 'Korean Hirokazu Kore-eda' upon her debut. Additionally, Bong Joon-ho, director of 'Parasite,' praised her as one of the three masters, alongside Abbas Kiarostami and Hirokazu Kore-eda, for bringing child actors to life on screen. Kore-eda himself lauded 'The World of Us' during its Japanese release, noting the director's strong determination to capture even the smallest changes in expression. Their special connection continued with a Cine Talk event during Kore-eda's visit to Korea.
In the recently released video, Hirokazu Kore-eda expressed his anticipation for Yoon Ga-eun's first film in six years, 'The Owner of the World,' urging audiences to watch it in theaters. Additionally, Chinese director Jia Zhangke congratulated the film for its double win at the Pingyao International Film Festival, expressing his delight at its positive reception in China and hoping it would pave the way for more outstanding Korean films like it to be recognized in China. Director Yeon Sang-ho of 'The Face' also heightened expectations with his strong endorsement, calling it "a masterpiece by director Yoon Ga-eun with a different approach."
Following the online release of the film's trailer, prospective audiences have expressed their interest and anticipation. Comments include, "I love Yoon Ga-eun's insightful perspective, and I've been eagerly waiting for her new work," "After hearing the praise at TIFF, I'm excited about this film. I'm really curious about Joo-in," "Why is it titled 'The Owner of the World' instead of 'Joo-in's World'?" and "It seems like it will be a story not just about Joo-in but about all of us."
'The Owner of the World' will be available in theaters on October 22.
Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr