[Dispatch|Cannes (France)=Jung Tae-yoon] "HOPE, 1 TICKET PLZ"

Director Na Hong-jin has returned to Cannes after 10 years. Long before the world premiere of the film 'Hope' took place, the area in front of the Lumière Grand Theater was filled with crowds.

The 2,300 seats sold out early, but people holding signs looking for tickets lined up. Even those unable to find tickets did not leave.

The same was true after the film ended. As audiences exited the grand theater, they were busy sharing their impressions with one another. The venue filled with excited voices and animated gestures.

That night, a film that stirred Cannes the most was born. 'Dispatch' witnessed Cannes' most passionate moment.

The film 'Hope' was invited to the competition section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival. It had its world premiere on the 17th (local time) at 9:40 p.m. at the Lumière Grand Theater in Cannes, France.

Prior to the screening, director Na Hong-jin and the actors took to the red carpet. Director Park Chan-wook, who was appointed as a jury member, also attended and graced the occasion.

Director Na Hong-jin then walked out with a bright smile. Director Na Hong-jin presented all his feature films at Cannes following 'The Chaser' (2008), 'The Yellow Sea' (2011), and 'The Wailing' (2016).

Jo In-sung walked the red carpet with a composure that was hard to believe for someone attending Cannes for the first time. He stopped and crossed the street to approach fans, leaving autographs and selfies.

Hwang Jung-min's gentle smile, returning two years after 'Veteran 2', also caught the eye. Jung Ho-yeon, a model by origin, turned the red carpet into a runway. She smiled like a girl while making eye contact with Taylor Russell.

Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender stood side by side, creating a romantic atmosphere. As the main cast of 'Hope' entered the grand theater, the audience stood up in unison to greet them.

'Hope' depicts the story of a mysterious creature that arrives in a port village called 'Hope Port' located in the demilitarized zone, stirring up the town.

Cheers erupted the moment director Na Hong-jin's name appeared in the opening credits. Applause poured out each time Hwang Jung-min and Jo In-sung performed dramatic scenes on screen.

'Hope' has a runtime of 160 minutes. The end credits rolled past midnight. Despite the lengthy runtime, there were barely any audience members who left their seats in the middle.

The audience responded enthusiastically, matching the film's dynamic atmosphere. They gave hot applause and cheers for 7 minutes. Director Na Hong-jin looked up and looked around the second floor, taking in the lingering impression.

Na Hong-jin said, "I sincerely thank you for watching until the very end for such a long time," and "I am grateful to my colleagues, teams, and actors who have been with me since the beginning until now, and to all of you. Merci," sharing his thoughts.

Audiences who showered the screening room with unified applause showed varied reactions outside the theater.

Louis from Canada told 'Dispatch', "The visual impact stood out. The alien design felt realistic. The sound design was good too. It was definitely an unexpected story. A film that should be seen in theaters."

Meanwhile, Tasha from Denmark said, "I really love Korean films and I like director Na Hong-jin as well. Perhaps because expectations were high, it seems the film became filled only with B-grade humor in creature fiction from the middle onwards, which is a shame."

Major foreign media outlets also responded quickly. The Hollywood Reporter praised it as "a film that makes previous works look like a warm-up," calling it "an overwhelming experience that holds attention throughout the 2 hours and 40 minutes."

Variety said, "In that it lacks thematic weight or philosophical implications, it does not suit the Cannes competition section," while evaluating it as "the most breathtaking action direction of the year."

Certainly, the first hour was overwhelming. Without revealing the monster's appearance, the director drives the audience with only its traces and terror. You could feel director Na Hong-jin's distinctive uncomfortable tension throughout.

A chase led solely by Hwang Jung-min, detailed descriptions of a ruined alley. This section alone seemed to fully realize all the potential that previous works held. However, the moment the monster reveals itself, cracks begin to form.

The completion of the CG did not keep up with the film's scale, and as the story progressed to the latter half, it lost momentum. The ensemble drama of a rural village is monotonous, and the alien characters played by Hollywood actors move forward without being sufficiently explained.

Nevertheless, Na Hong-jin remained Na Hong-jin. Among evaluations that safe works fill the front row of Cannes, he made the most experimental choice. He took risks and brought something entirely unexpected. That determination to always explore what is new is hard to deny.

Meanwhile, the Cannes Film Festival awards results for 'Hope' are scheduled to be announced on the 24th (Korean time).

<Photos | Cannes (France)=Photographer Lee Ho-jun>