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| ▲This photo shows, director Bong Joon-ho and Thierry Fremauxin Paris. (Yonhap) |
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| ▲This photo shows, director Bong Joon-ho in Paris. (Yonhap) |
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| ▲This photo shows theater Le Grand Rex where Bong Joon-ho showcased his re-mastered ver. of 'The Host.' (Yonhap) |
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| ▲This photo shows theater Le Grand Rex where Bong Joon-ho showcased his re-mastered ver. of 'The Host.' (Yonhap) |
SEOUL February 27 (Yonhap) -- “Movies should be watched at the big theaters like this, watching it at the theater is part of the movie experience. However, after the movie “Okja,” Netflix has become more lenient so some of the productions are now premiered in theaters four to six weeks before the release in ott platforms, and in my opinion I hope it becomes more lenient.” addressed director Bong Joon-ho throughout his talk with the head of Festival de Cannes at the theater Le Grand Rex located within Paris where he visited with the re-mastered 4K version of his movie “The Host,” on February 26.
Director Bong was nominated under the segment of main competition section in 70th Cannes Film Festival. Regarding the process of Nomination of “Okja” Bong Joon-ho had to go through various obstacles it not being premiered in theaters of France, therefore the regulations regarding the lineup of movies which can be submitted to compete at the competition segment of the festival has changed.
Throughout an hour long conversation, with Thierry Fremaux a director of Cannes Film Festival, when director Bong was asked with a question of his movie “Okja,” and as an answer, Bong Joon-ho stated “This was from five to six years ago and once I start talking about it then it will take me more than a day in order to do it.”
Moreover, director addressed “Netflix has gone through various scandals with various theaters, and complicated issues, however, I was able to come up with such great movie because of them, therefore I am very thankful for such experience.”
In front of over 2700 of the audiences who have filled the theater in order to see director bong and his re-mastered version of “The Host,” Bong Joon-ho addressed, “When I was coming up with ‘The Host’ tremendous amount of money was put into when showing the monster every time throughout the film due to extreme amount of computer graphics usage,” adding “Within the perspective of Korean movie, it is a movie with a lot of money put into it, however in terms of monster movies, it’s not even close to what majority of the productions costs.”
Continuing on, director addressed “It was an interesting situation where in Korea majority of the people whom I spoke with was surprised to hear how much money it needed, however if I were to visit virtual effect companies within United States and Australia, then they will be very surprised to hear that such movie can be made with such small amount of fund. In order to compensate with what I had, I had to showcase the monster within only 115 shots, of the film. I have tried very hard in order to overcome the pressure I was getting from the insufficient amount of fund.” adding “Since the movie features helpless people who are left alone to survive from the governmental and various social supports, being subject to the monster’s attack made the movie ‘The Host’ dramatic. I personally think due to its nature, the movie ‘The host’ became satire for current politics and more.”
“I do not have a firm stance when it comes to politics, economy, governance and more, therefore I tried using that as my strength when coming up with my movies,” adding “When not knowing something, one is afraid to do something, however that I my strong suit, therefore showcasing the unstableness is what I am good at.” addressed director Bong Joon-ho throughout his statement at Le Grand Rex in Paris.
During the showing of “The Host” director Bong Joon-ho addressed that he snuck into the last 20 minutes of the movie gave his impression of the movie by stating “It was a complicated feelings, you know I felt like by watching the movie, I have just finished the production of it.”
“Watching my own movie sometimes is very hard. I get caught up in regrets, such as why have I done it in a certain way, and even just a minute ago I found a place where I wanted to re-edit and make some changes, however I shouldn’t do so. I won’t tell where that was but it’s a secret.” director Bong chuckled throughout his statement.
“The re-mastered version of ‘The Host’ with higher definition has not been premiered in South Korea. Therefore this is the first time the movie has be showcased in 4k.” adding “France is the home ground of Cinema for sure,” director Bong Joon-ho posed with thumbs up while smiling. The 4K version of director’s movie “The Host” will premiere in France first, then will be re-released in South Korea starting in March 8.
Throughout the session, director Bong addressed briefly about his upcoming movie “Mickey 17” in March of 2024. “We have successfully finished shooting our film in London in 2022.” The upcoming movie “Mickey 17” depicts a story of a novel called “Mickey 7” and will feature Robert Pattinson as protagonist of the film.
For the question regarding whether he likes the end product, director Bong carefully addressed “Production site is like riding a bumper car while reading a book written by Leo Tolstoy. Therefore the place where I can truly focus on my production is where I edit the film.” Adding “ I tried my best to stay focused throughout the production.”
Throughout the session, director of Cannes Film Festival Thierry Fremaux asked “North Korea to us is a huge mystery, will you be able to make a movie about North Korea?” for the answer director addressed “I think the topic itself is definitely do able, and someday I feel like I would be able to come up with a movie with plot lines regarding North Korea.”
“My eldest aunt is in North Korea,” director Bong kicked off his statement throughout the session and continued on by addressing “Segregation of Korean people have left us with spitted family members,” adding “It is un real to see how those family members do not have any ways to contact one another.”
“Even when the Germany was separated into two both countries were able to contact one another through phone calls, however, in Korea we are not even sure whether they are still alive. South Korea is considered to be one of the countries with fastest internet connection, however, it is interesting to see how South Korea has very polar opposite sides to our successful development as well.” addressed director bong throughout the session.
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Joonha Yoo)
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