Hong Sang-soo invited to Berlinale for 6th year: Will Kim Min-hee accompany him?

By KTimes

Director Hong Sang-soo’s 33rd feature film, “What Does That Nature Say to You” has been officially invited to the competition section of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival.

According to international distributor Finecut, the festival’s executive committee announced the film’s inclusion in the competition lineup during a press conference, Tuesday (local time). This marks Hong’s sixth consecutive year of being invited to the prestigious festival.

Hong’s previous films, such as “The Woman Who Ran" (2020), "Introduction” (2021), “The Novelist’s Film” (2022), “Walk Up” (2022) and "In Water" (2023), were also recognized at the Berlinale, with several winning Silver Bear awards. Notable accolades include “On the Beach at Night Alone” (2017) earning the Best Actress Silver Bear at the 67th Berlinale, “The Woman Who Ran” winning the Best Director award at the 70th Berlinale, and “Introduction” receiving the Best Screenplay award at the 71st Berlinale.

Berlinale Executive Director Tricia Tuttle and two program directors praised the film, saying they admired the language and rhythm of its cinematic form and the insights embedded within.

The film features longtime collaborators such as Ha Seong-guk, Kwon Hae-hyo and Jo Yoon-hee. It follows the story of a poet in his 30s who makes an unplanned visit to his girlfriend’s house, leading to a series of unexpected events. Kim Min-hee, Hong’s partner, participated in the film as a production director, sparking speculation about whether she would accompany him to Berlin.

The 75th Berlin International Film Festival will take place from Feb. 13 to 23. “What Does That Nature Say to You” is set to premiere at the festival and is slated for a domestic release in the first half of this year.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.