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Korean Films Shine at Cannes: Hope and Colony Selected

4/11/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Two Korean films were invited to the Cannes Film Festival, signaling a strong return.
Director Na Hong-jin's Hope was selected for the Competition, Korea's first entry in four years.
The film follows Beom-seok, a DMZ-area officer, who encounters surreal events after a tiger sighting.
Colony, by director Yeon Sang-ho, will screen in the Midnight section.
The festival runs May 12–23 in Cannes, France.

History

Historical Context

The 2019 Cannes Film Festival marked a pivotal moment for South Korean cinema, with Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite" winning the Palme d'Or, the first Korean film to achieve this honor. The Korean Film Council reported a 30% rise in international selections for Korean films that year, reflecting a significant shift in global recognition and cultural exchange within the film industry.

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Story summary

Two Korean films were invited to the Cannes Film Festival, signaling a strong return.
Director Na Hong-jin's Hope was selected for the Competition, Korea's first entry in four years.
The film follows Beom-seok, a DMZ-area officer, who encounters surreal events after a tiger sighting.
Colony, by director Yeon Sang-ho, will screen in the Midnight section.
The festival runs May 12–23 in Cannes, France.

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