The ongoing crisis in theaters has become a reality, and not a single film has been invited to the Cannes Film Festival (hereafter referred to as 'Cannes'). The Korean film industry, which has seen its status decline amid a drought in box office success, is truly on the brink.
On the 10th (local time), the Cannes Film Festival executive committee held a press conference to announce the official selections for the 78th Cannes Film Festival, and Korean films were not named in any category, including competition, non-competition, midnight screenings, Un Certain Regard, or Cannes Premieres.
Among domestic works, it was reported that Yeon Sang-ho's 'Face', Kim Mi-jo's 'Gyeongju Journey', and Kim Byung-woo's 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' were submitted, but ultimately none were selected for an invitation.
There were discussions about the possibility of Park Chan-wook's new film 'Nothing Can Be Done' entering the competition section of Cannes, but it was reported that it could not be submitted as post-production was not completed. As a result, Korean films have failed to make the competition section for three consecutive years.
It is particularly unusual that not a single Korean feature film has been invited to Cannes this year. Since the 2000s, Cannes has invited at least 1 to 2 Korean films each year, and sometimes as many as 3 to 4. This dishonor has not occurred in 12 years since 2013.
In 2019, Bong Joon-ho's 'Parasite' won the Palme d'Or, and in 2022, Park Chan-wook won Best Director for 'Decision to Leave', while actor Song Kang-ho received Best Actor for 'Broker', but the 'golden age of Korean cinema' has already become a thing of the past.
However, since Cannes has previously announced additional selections after the official announcement, it is not entirely impossible for Korean films to receive invitations. Nevertheless, the ongoing drought in box office success, the loss of dominance to the OTT market, and the reality of breaking even as a goal adds a bitter note to the situation.
Meanwhile, the 78th Cannes Film Festival will be held from May 13 to 24 in the southern French resort city of Cannes.
