Director Yeon Sang-ho revisits the origins of his cinematic universe, presenting a focused and intimate story with his latest film "Face."

The film follows a master of traditional Korean embossing and his son as they uncover the truth behind the death of the mother buried for 40 years. Adapted from Yeon's 2018 graphic novel of the same name, the movie explores human nature and societal corruption during the 1970s, a period of rapid economic growth in South Korea.

Back to Basics

Yeon, known for large-scale works like "Train to Busan," took a bold approach by producing "Face" on a micro-budget of 200 million KRW. The production involved just 20 staff members, two weeks of pre-production, and 13 shooting days. Actor Park Jung-min performed without a fee, taking on dual roles as the younger master Im Young-gyu and his son Im Dong-hwan, marking his first 1-in-2 role challenge.

Innovative Casting and Character Focus

Veteran actor Kwon Hae-hyo played the present-day Im Young-gyu, with Park and Kwon collaborating to create a seamless portrayal of the same character across time. Shin Hyun-bin, as Jeong Young-hee, appears entirely in silhouette, emphasizing the film's thematic focus on "uncomfortable justice" rather than conventional facial expressions.

International Recognition

"Face" was invited to the Special Presentations section of the 50th Toronto International Film Festival, marking Yeon's third festival selection following "The Fake" and "Hellbound." The director emphasized the film's aim to evoke rare emotions and thought-provoking experiences for audiences, blending his signature social commentary with an economical production style.

"Face" is scheduled for theatrical release on September 11.