Lee Chang-dong Wins Venice Grand Jury Prize: "An Encouragement to Keep Asking Questions" (Summary)

A Landmark for Korean Cinema: First Major Award in 14 Years

"As Work and Relationships Fade, What Can Film Achieve?"

Standing Ovation at World Premiere and FIPRESCI Prize

Director Lee Chang-dong’s film “Possible Love” won the Grand Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. This marks a major achievement for Korean cinema, the first since director Kim Ki-duk’s “Pieta” won the Golden Lion in 2012, 14 years ago.

Director Chang-dong Lee, winner of the Grand Prize of the jury / Netflix.

The awards ceremony was held during the closing event at the Palazzo del Cinema in Venice, Italy, on September 12 (local time). Director Lee received the trophy from director Du Ki-bong, who served as a jury member. It is Lee’s first award at Venice in 24 years since winning Best Director and Best New Actor for “Oasis” in 2002. If including the other top three film festivals (Cannes and Berlin), this is his fifth trophy. At Cannes in 2007, Jeon Do-yeon won Best Actress for “Secret Sunshine,” and in 2010, Lee took home Best Screenplay for “Poetry.”

On stage, Lee said, “I want to share this feeling with everyone who took part in making this film,” expressing his gratitude to Netflix, actors Jeon Do-yeon, Seol Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung, Cho Yeo-jeong, and the staff. He continued, “The film was created to ask what we can and must do with cinema in a time when labor is disappearing and relationships between people are breaking down. I take this award as a sign to keep asking those questions.”

“Possible Love” tells the story of a laid-off worker and his wife, and a documentary director and her husband—two couples who meet while making a documentary film. As their different lives intersect, they come to realize hidden desires. Seol Kyung-gu plays Ho-seok, the laid-off worker; Jeon Do-yeon is his wife, Mi-ok; Cho Yeo-jeong plays the director, Ye-ji; and Zo In-sung takes on the role of Ye-ji’s husband, Sang-woo. The screenplay was co-written by director Lee and writer Oh Jung-mi.

Director Lee Chang-dong is receiving the Jury Award from Director Du Ki-bong, who is a jury member. / Netflix.

Director Du Ki-bong commented, “This is the most mature among Lee Chang-dong’s works. The style is delicate and understated. I was impressed by the film’s nuanced details and the introspection they contain. I don’t think I could ever make a film like this.” Director Lee said, “I wanted to reflect on how cinema can contain the pain of others and share that with the audience. I believe the very process of making movies can be a way to share and heal pain.”

In a separate interview after the ceremony, Lee shared his thoughts: “Some might be disappointed that it’s not the Golden Lion, but I am more than satisfied. More than the award itself, seeing the audience at Venice and witnessing their reactions and expressions was what mattered to me.” He also expressed pride in the cast, saying, “Many praised the ensemble performances in this film.” Addressing Korean audiences, he said, “Thank you for following the Venice Film Festival. I believe this is just the beginning. I look forward to meeting many viewers and sharing and connecting through this story.”

Still cut from the movie "Possible Love."

The lead actors, who could not attend due to appearances at the Toronto International Film Festival, each shared their own thoughts. Jeon Do-yeon said, “I hope this serves as motivation for director Lee to start writing his next work. I’m already curious about his future film.” Seol Kyung-gu commented, “I’m deeply moved and proud just to have participated in this film.” Zo In-sung said, “I am grateful and honored to receive such a major award. This achievement is thanks to the support and effort of those who love Korean cinema.” Cho Yeo-jeong said, “Congratulations and thanks to director Lee Chang-dong for making such a wonderful movie. I look forward to sharing the film’s impact with even more people soon.”

The victory came as little surprise. During its world premiere in the competition section on September 6, the movie received a seven-minute standing ovation. On September 11, it also won the International Federation of Film Critics Award (FIPRESCI). The critics’ association praised the film for “portraying subtle power dynamics with perfect pacing and complexity, exploring themes of exploitation, class, disillusionment, love, desire, and narrative ethics.”

The overseas critical response was also enthusiastic. The Hollywood Reporter described it as “a sad and beautiful chamber drama about trauma, the loss of dignity, and a longing for class.” And Sound pointed out how “the trauma left by corporate abuse expands through families and communities, captured with restraint.” Slant Magazine lauded it as “a sharply rendered depiction of the fractures in Korean society surrounding class, gender, and labor,” while Deadline highlighted it as “a work of such high quality that even viewers unfamiliar with the director’s reputation will be impressed.”

Still cut from the movie 'Possible Love.'

“Possible Love” has also been selected as South Korea’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards. This marks Lee’s fourth time having a film entered as Korea’s submission for the Oscars, following “Oasis,” “Secret Sunshine,” and “Burning.” Even after Venice, the film is scheduled to be screened at major festivals in Toronto, New York, San Sebastian, Zurich, Vancouver, and Busan. It will open in Korean theaters on September 23 and will be released on Netflix on November 6.

Meanwhile, the festival’s top honor, the Golden Lion, went to Danish director Mai El-Touky’s film “Woman Unknown.” This work depicts a woman who, haunted by suspicions of ties to German troops after World War II in Denmark, makes sacrifices for her own survival. Lead actress Mathilde Arcel won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress, earning the film two major awards.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.