Cannes Audience Cheers for ‘Hope’ with a 7-Minute Standing Ovation
Filmmaker Na Hong-Jin’s sci-fi thriller Hope received a remarkable seven-minute standing ovation during its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival this evening. The film, which runs for two hours and forty minutes, captivated the audience, who expressed their enthusiasm through applause following three standout action sequences.
Reflecting on the audience’s response, Na praised their engagement with the lengthy film but noted that if it had concluded just 20 minutes sooner, the applause might have been even more fervent. “There was enthusiasm, but it was tempered,” he remarked.
The film features a notable cast, including Korean actors Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, and Hoyeon, alongside Alicia Vikander, Michael Fassbender, Taylor Russell, and Cameron Britton.
Hope is set in Hope Harbor, a remote village near the Demilitarized Zone, where police chief Bum-seok is alerted to a troubling situation: local youths have reported the appearance of a tiger, sparking panic among residents. This scenario forces Bum-seok to confront a bewildering reality.
This year marks Na’s fourth appearance at Cannes, following previous screenings of The Wailing in 2016, The Yellow Sea in 2011, and The Chaser in 2008.
In addition to writing and directing, Na produced the film alongside Saemi Kim and Saerom Kim for Forged Films. It received executive production support from Jeongin Hong and was financed by Plus M Entertainment.
North American and English-language rights for Hope have been acquired by Neon, while Mubi secured distribution rights for Latin America, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Turkey.
