The films 'Smugglers', 'Concrete Utopia', 'A Normal Family', and 'Sleep' were invited to the 48th Toronto Film Festival.

Following the films 'Smugglers' (director Seungwan Ryoo), 'A Normal Familyy' (director Jinho Huh), and 'Concrete Utopia' (director Taehwa Um), 'Sleep' (director Jaeseon Yoo) was officially invited to the 48th Toronto International Film Festival, and K-movie will prove its potential.

The Toronto International Film Festival is the largest film festival in North America, one of the world's four major international film festivals along with the Cannes International Film Festival, the Berlin International Film Festival, and the Venice International Film Festival.


Movies 'Smugglers' (Director Seungwan Ryoo), 'A Normal Family' (Director Jinho Heo) / Special Presentation Section Invitation

First of all , 'Smugglers' and 'A Normal Family' were invited to the Special Presentations section. This section is a representative section that carefully selects and invites works by masters with both artistic and commercial qualities. In the meantime, 'Mother' and 'Parasite' (director Bong Joon-ho), 'Decision to Break Up' (director Park Chan-wook), and 'Asura' (director Kim Seong-soo) have been invited.

'Smugglers' is a new film by director Ryoo Seung-wan. It is a maritime crime action drama in which people get caught up in a life-long battle in front of people who make a living by rescuing daily necessities thrown into the sea. 'A Normal Family' is a new work by director Heo Jin-ho, who directed 'Spring Day Goes' and 'Christmas in August', and depicts the story of two brothers and a couple with different beliefs who accidentally encounter a terrible secret.

Toronto International Film Festival Chief Programmer Anita Lee said, "The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is very pleased to invite one of the most anticipated Korean films of the year, 'Smugglers' by director Seung-Wan Ryoo, to the Special Presentation section. Director Ryoo Seung-wan enthralls the audience with his signature action style and original wit. I am very excited to be able to present it to the TIFF audience," he said, commenting on the invitation to 'Smugglers' .

Next, film festival programmer Giovanna Fulvi said, “Director Heo Jin-ho’s solid directing and the cast’s impeccable acting skills add weight and elegance to the story of a ‘normal’ family’s life collapsing. ' has been the most outstanding and powerful film adaptation,” he revealed the reason for the invitation.


Movie 'Concrete Utopia' (Director Uhm Tae-hwa) / Gala Presentation Section Invitation

'Concrete Utopia' went to the Toronto Film Festival as a Gala Presentations section. This section is a section for the general public with special guests attending , and 'The Good, the Bad, and the Weird' (director Kim Ji-woon), 'The Maid' (director Im Sang-soo), and 'Hunt' ( director Lee Jung-jae) have been named. there is.

'Concrete Utopia' is a disaster drama directed by Yoo Jae-seon, who is called Park Chan-wook Kid, and tells the story of survivors gathering at the only remaining imperial palace apartment in Seoul, which was devastated by a major earthquake.


Movie 'Sleep' (Director Yoo Jae-sun) / Midnight Madness Section Invitation

The movie 'Sleep' (directed by Yoo Jae-sun) starring Lee Sun-gyun and Jung Yu-mi was officially invited to the Midnight Madness section. This section highlights genre films with unrivaled senses, such as strong concepts and sensuous visuals. In the meantime , 'Wolf Hunt' (director Kim Hong-seon) and 'The Host' (director Bong Joon-ho) were also selected. In the case of Midnight Madness, it is not easy to invite as it has carefully selected 5 to 6 films from genre films around the world every year. Following 'Monster', 'Wolf Hunt' was also named after 16 years in 2022, and 'Sleep' was the next to be named.

'Sleep' is a movie depicting the story of two people trying to unravel the secret of a happy newlywed couple Hyeon-su (Lee Seon-gyun) and Su-jin (Jung Yu-mi) who are haunted by her husband Hyeon-soo's abnormal behavior during sleep and the terrible fear that begins the moment he falls asleep.

Midnight Madness programmer Peter Kuplowsky said, “The Critics Week premiere of 'Sleep' this year at the Cannes International Film Festival marked an auspicious start. Writer and director Yoo Jae-sun skillfully subverted the genre through suspense, wit, and powerful ambiguity, and I was delighted to invite him to Midnight Madness.”

Following 'Smugglers', 'A Normal Family', and 'Concrete Utopia', it is expected that 'Sleeping', which was invited to the 48th Toronto Film Festival, will confirm the status of K-movies once again.

The 48th Toronto International Film Festival is the largest film festival in North America, one of the world's four major international film festivals, and will be held from September 7th to 17th.

Reporter Ha-neul Lee, Ten Asia greenworld@tenasia.co.kr