[Dispatch | Cannes (France) = Reporter Jung Tae-yoon] "It felt like we all shared one experience together." (Alicia Vikander)

The day after the film 'Hope' (Director Na Hong-jin) had its world premiere at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, Dispatch met with Hollywood actors Alicia Vikander and Taylor Russell.

Both saw the film for the first time the previous day. Alicia Vikander said, "I was immersed in the non-stop action sequences for the first 40 minutes. It was the most exceptional action sequence I've seen recently."

Taylor Russell nodded in agreement. He said, "The humor was really fun. The acting of the Korean actors was particularly surprising," and marveled, "It was acting where they poured out everything with all their effort."

'Hope' depicts events that unfold in Hopohang, a fictional village located near the demilitarized zone. It is Director Na Hong-jin's first creature film. Alicia and Taylor acted in it.

Alicia played the Empress 'Jor', a character who became an empress despite being of common birth. She flew toward the emperor, who was at war with the crown prince, but crash-landed on Earth.

Taylor played 'Aidobor', Jor's lady-in-waiting. She is a person who must educate the empress in court etiquette and also serves as the crown prince's tutor. These characters were completed through motion capture and facial capture.

Dozens of designers from around the world developed designs to create four aliens of different ranks. After approximately seven years of work, the final casting was completed.

Alicia is a longtime fan of Director Na Hong-jin. Upon receiving the casting offer, she immediately said "okay." She praised Na Hong-jin, saying, "The director uses cinematic language richly and is a visionary filmmaker."

"In his previous works, he broke existing frameworks and showed fresh things. This time, he went a step further, unafraid to mix and explore the genres he likes. I think he is the director who most boldly breaks rules and conventions."

Director Na Hong-jin was also a special presence for Taylor. He recalled, "Of all the directors I've worked with, he surprised me the most. In the process of preparing with the director, unexpected things blossomed."

The two spent two years in conversation with Director Na Hong-jin, completing their characters. It was a time to learn about the vast worldbuilding surrounding the unfamiliar beings that are aliens.

Alicia said, "The director seemed to already possess a massive worldview," and hinted, "What you saw this time might be just the tip of the iceberg in a much larger narrative."

Some expressed regret about the brief screen time of the Hollywood actors. Alicia said, "Regardless of screen time, I believe that if I prepare sufficiently and approach a role, it will be naturally conveyed to the audience. I approached this role with that mindset."

Motion capture acting was a new challenge for both. Alicia shared, "The character has a different body structure from humans. I worked while confirming through the monitor that the limbs are longer and must move differently."

"Usually you can gauge whether the camera is wide or close-up. This time, the parameters were completely different. I had to act wearing a bodysuit as if the camera in front of my eyes wasn't visible. It was difficult, but I enjoyed it because I like challenging tasks."

The character Aidobor that Taylor played had to move her body animally. He shared, "The process of narrowing the gap between the alien who uses her body skillfully and myself having to move while wearing equipment was difficult."

Still, he explained, "The good thing about creature acting is that there's no right or wrong," adding, "The allowable range was wide. I could enjoy it within that space."

How did they feel after seeing the result? Taylor said, "The humor was so good. I sat next to the Korean actors and watched, and when they kept laughing, I thought, 'We can laugh together too.'"

"The dialogue I saw in the script was different from what I saw acted out. Enjoying the humor together with them, I came to understand it anew. It felt like a specific part of my brain opened up through this experience."

They also expressed anticipation for a sequel. Alicia said, "Through two years of conversation, I felt the director's thoughts continuously evolving. He said it will eventually go to space. I wonder if the sequel might develop as a story that opens that gateway."

Taylor added, "Director Na Hong-jin surprised me more than any director I've worked with. If he does it, I would gladly journey together with him."

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

<Photo courtesy of Plus M Entertainment>