79th Venice Film Festival Special Jury Award Film 'No Bears', released on January 10, 2024

The movie 'No Bears' (directed by Jafar Panahi) has confirmed its release on January 10th.

'No Bears' features Iranian master director Jafar Panahi himself, and covers the events that occur in a self-documentary format as the director, who cannot go to the filming site due to a ban on leaving the country, stays in a border village and films remotely.

In fact, the director was sentenced to a 20-year ban on leaving the country and film production in 2010 for supporting anti-regime activities, but he did not give in to this and continued his work, receiving continuous love calls from the world's top three film festivals. The director, who was detained again in 2022 right after the production of 'No Bears', heard that he had received a special jury award at the Venice Film Festival for his work in prison.

The teaser poster shows two men walking down a night street. In the pitch-black darkness, only the flashlight illuminates the alley, and it is unclear whether another path will lead or something else will appear at the end of the road that seems to be blocked by a wall. It also feels like a reflection of the director who resolutely holds up the camera and finds his own way in a situation of oppression from those in power.

Foreign media outlets say, “An original and outstanding film that immediately catches your eye” (Los Angeles Times), “A surprisingly sharp work from a director who was chased and deprived” (The Wrap), “Director Panahi’s latest masterpiece full of captivating beauty” (Washington Post) ), etc. were also praised.

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