Neon Boosts Cannes Competition with Na Hong-Jin’s Sci-Fi Thriller ‘Hope’
Neon has secured its fifth film in the Cannes Competition with Na Hong-Jin’s Hope. This acquisition marks another notable addition to Neon’s roster following its recent successes.
The company has acquired North American and English-language rights to the latest project from the acclaimed director of The Wailing, demonstrating a strong commitment to the film since an initial footage presentation last November.
Featuring a noteworthy ensemble cast, Hope stars prominent Korean actors Hwang Jung-min of Deliver Us from Evil fame and Zo In-sung from Moving, along with Hoyeon of Squid Game, Alicia Vikander from Ex Machina, Michael Fassbender of Steve Jobs, Taylor Russell from Bones and All, and Cameron Britton of Umbrella Academy.
The film’s synopsis reveals a gripping premise: “In Hope Harbor, a remote village near the Demilitarized Zone, police chief Bum-seok receives alarming news from local youths that a tiger has appeared. As the village erupts into panic, Bum-seok is forced to confront a reality beyond belief.”
With this acquisition, Neon has now brought its total to six titles in the Cannes festival lineup. In addition to Hope, the company is presenting Arthur Harari’s The Unknown, Cristian Mungiu’s Fjord, Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s All of a Sudden, and Hirokazu Koreeda’s Sheep in the Box in competition, along with Nicolas Winding Refn’s Her Private Hell out of competition. Notably, Neon has been associated with the last six winners of the Palme d’Or.
This Cannes appearance marks Na Hong-Jin’s fourth return to the prestigious festival. His previous films include The Wailing, which screened Out of Competition in 2016, The Yellow Sea, which participated in the Un Certain Regard section in 2011, and The Chaser, also shown Out of Competition in 2008.
Hope is co-produced by Na Hong-Jin, Saemi Kim, and Saerom Kim for Forged Films, with executive production from Jeongin Hong and co-executive production by Eugene Kim. The film receives financing from Plus M Entertainment, and the deal was negotiated by UTA Independent Film Group and Sarah Colvin on behalf of Neon.
Eugene Kim, Head of Content at Plus M Entertainment, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Neon, stating: “We are thrilled to partner with Neon, a distributor that has consistently demonstrated an unparalleled eye for global masterpieces.” Kim added, “Given the genre-bending nature of Hope, I am eager to see what a powerful impression it will make on North American audiences through Neon’s sophisticated expertise.”
Rumors regarding Neon’s interest in the project surfaced on social media and film blogs today, prior to confirmation from our sister publication Variety.
