Bong Joon Ho Shares Insights on His Challenging New Animation Project
Korean Director Bong Joon Ho Discusses Animated Feature at Marrakech Film Festival
Korean filmmaker Bong Joon Ho, serving as president of the jury at this year’s Marrakech Film Festival, shared insights into his long-anticipated untitled animated feature, which is set for release in 2027. While attending the festival, Bong revealed he has been rising early to ensure the project remains on schedule.
"I’m in the middle of a crazy animation production. It’s a very wild and tough job. Even this morning I worked in my hotel room," he stated, underscoring the demanding nature of the work.
Bong also provided a glimpse into the film’s narrative, describing it as a "very unique, funny relationship between the human race and little creatures that live in the deep sea," confirming details previously announced about the storyline.
The jury, alongside Bong, includes prominent figures such as Celine Song, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jenna Ortega, Karim Aïnouz, Hakim Belabbes, Julia Ducournau, and Payman Maadi. Together, they will determine the recipient of the festival’s prestigious Golden Star (Etoile d’Or) from a selection of 14 first and second-time films.
When asked about the challenges faced by emerging filmmakers compared to his own early career, Bong noted that advancements in artificial intelligence could lead to a crisis in cinema. However, he expressed optimism about the potential benefits of this situation. "I think there was always a crisis, always a challenge in cinema," he remarked, with the assistance of an interpreter. "Maybe with AI, the crisis will be even bigger, but actually the more crisis you feel, the more cinematic energy and greater aesthetics are obtained, so it could be more exciting and interesting to have a crisis in cinema."
Earlier in the day, Bong also voiced strong sentiments against AI, expressing a desire to form a "military squad with a mission to destroy AI." This reflects his complicated views on the intersection of technology and creative expression in the film industry.
