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5 Korean films at Berlinale, 'A Traveler's Needs' up for main prize

Published: 15 Feb. 2024, 11:07 Updated: 25 Feb. 2024, 09:40

LIM JEONG-WON
[email protected]

A scene from director Hong Sang-soo's film ″A Traveler's Needs,″ invited to the Competition section at this year's Berlin International Film Festival [JEONWONSA FILM]

Five Korean films will be shown at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, also known as the Berlinale, which kicked off Thursday in Berlin, Germany.

Director Hong Sang-soo’s 31st feature film “A Traveler’s Needs” is competing in the main Competition section, eligible for trophies such as the Golden Bear and Silver Bear awards.

“A Traveler’s Needs” stars Isabelle Huppert as a French woman who travels to Korea and teaches a Korean woman to speak French in a story about life's unbearable nature and the importance of communication. The film marks the fifth consecutive year that Hong has been invited to the Berlinale.

“The Roundup: Punishment,” the fourth installment of “The Outlaws” (2017) franchise, will be shown in the Special Gala section of the Berlinale. Don Lee returns as the “monster-cop” who beats down criminals in a new setting, the Philippines.

International poster for ″The Roundup: Punishment″ [ABO ENTERTAINMENT]

Heo Myeong-haeng, who worked as the martial arts director for previous “The Outlaws” films and recently teamed up with Lee on the Netflix film “Badland Hunters,” directed “The Roundup: Punishment.”

“Exhuma” starring Choi Min-sik, Kim Go-eun, Yoo Hae-jin and Lee Do-hyun in a mystery occult film by Jang Jae-hyun, is to be shown in the Forum section, for experimental films. “Exhuma” is about a pair of shamans who undertake a wealthy family's call to exhume the family grave in Gangwon Province. Something escapes from the dug-up coffin dug, and a series of unsettling events occur.

Adding to the roster, director Kim Hye-young’s film “It’s Okay!” will be shown in the Generation Kplus section, dedicated to showcasing coming-of-age stories, while director Joung Yumi’s short film “Circle” will be screened as part of the Berlinale Shorts section.

The 74th Berlinale will continue until Feb. 24, while the concurrent European Film Market will take place between Feb. 15 and 21. Actor Lupita Nyong’o will head the international jury at this year’s festival.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [[email protected]]