"I hope it becomes a meaningful work"…Lee Chang-dong shares his feelings after winning at Venice

[Dispatch=Lee Myung-joo Reporter] Director Lee Chang-dong shared his thoughts on winning a main prize at the Venice Film Festival with his new film "Possible Love."

"Possible Love" received the Silver Lion Award, the second-highest prize, at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival held on September 13 (Korean time) on the Lido Island in Venice, Italy.

After the awards ceremony and press conference, Director Lee Chang-dong conveyed his award-winning thoughts and reflections through Netflix. He also greeted audiences who sent support from Korea.

He said, "I am very happy and grateful. Some people are disappointed that it's not the Golden Lion, but I think this is enough for me."

He continued, "We held the first premiere of 'Possible Love' at Venice, and the audience response is more important. The feelings that come and go give me great strength."

To Korean fans, he said, "Many fans have been watching the Venice Film Festival and keenly anticipating what kind of response we would receive, and I am grateful for that."

He added, "I am very much looking forward to how many audiences I will meet, how much we will communicate with each other, and how we will come to empathize with the story the film is trying to tell."

Director Lee concluded, "This award has been a great encouragement. I hope the films I make will have meaning for myself, for audiences, and as films themselves."

Meanwhile, "Possible Love" is set to open in theaters on the 23rd. It will be released on Netflix on November 6.

<Following is the full Q&A with Director Lee Chang-dong>

Q. Please share your thoughts on winning the Silver Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival, which you returned to after 24 years.

I received the Silver Lion Award like this. I am very happy and grateful.

Some people are disappointed that it's not the Golden Lion, but I think this is enough for me.

This award is an award in itself, but this time at Venice we had the first premiere of "Possible Love" and the first meeting with audiences. The reactions of those audiences, the expressions and faces of those who watched the film—those things are more important to me.

The feelings that come and go between us give me very great strength.

Q. You were unable to be with the actors at the Toronto Film Festival. If you have something you'd like to say to the actors, please share. I'm also curious if you've had any separate conversations with the actors of "Possible Love."

I'm sorry the actors couldn't be with me at the awards ceremony.

They went to Toronto a day or two earlier for their schedule there, and I think the actors watched the ceremony through this video at Toronto. So they were very happy, and we exchanged text messages.

The ensemble the actors showed in this film has been praised by many people who have seen many films.

In that sense, I am very proud of and grateful to our actors.

Q. Many members of the media and fans in Korea are sending support and congratulations. Please say a word. And I greet in advance those I will meet at the Korean preview on the 21st.

Many audiences in Korea have been watching the Venice Film Festival and have been very curious about what kind of response our film would receive, paying close attention. I am very grateful for that.

Now I have met audiences here for the first time, and from now on I see this as my beginning.

I am very much looking forward to how many audiences I will meet, how much we will communicate through this film, how we will share and empathize with the story the film is trying to tell, and I am already looking forward to meeting those audiences.

Q. Finally, I'm curious what kind of meaning this Venice Film Festival award will have for you.

This award has given me great strength and encouragement. When I make films, I always hope that the films I make have meaning for myself, meaning for audiences, and meaning as films themselves.

I hope this film will reach audiences meaningfully going forward, and this award is providing me with such strength and encouragement.