[Dispatch=Jung Tae-yoon] The film "Paradise Lost" began with a story from director Yeon Sang-ho's mother's notebook. When his mother expressed concern about whether it wasn't difficult to write every day, director Yeon reassured her, saying "Anyone who knows Hangul can write."

His mother, having heard that, wrote three stories in a practice notebook. One of them became a film. A wicked son, and a mother's peculiar feelings thinking of such a son. This became the starting point of "Paradise Lost."

The production of "Paradise Lost" held a press screening and press conference on the 12th at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul. Director Yeon Sang-ho, Kim Hyun-joo, and Bae Hyun-sung attended.

"Paradise Lost" is a psychological thriller. It depicts the story that unfolds when Yoo Seo-young (played by Kim Hyun-joo), a mother who lost her son in a camping school bus disappearance nine years ago, is reunited with her son Yoo Sunoo (played by Bae Hyun-sung), whom she believed to be dead.

"Paradise Lost" proved intense domestic and international critical interest by receiving official invitations to the Toronto International Film Festival and the 31st Busan International Film Festival's Gala Presentation section even before its release.

Yeon Sang-ho said with a laugh, "I felt deeply moved when foreign journalists asked deep questions at the film festival. At BIFF, the audience shared good stories during the GV, which made me think that our main stage is indeed South Korea."

This story originated from director Yeon Sang-ho's mother's notebook. He recalled, "My mother asked if it wasn't difficult to write every day, so to reassure her, I told her 'Anyone who knows Hangul can write.'"

He continued, "My mother then wrote about three stories in a practice notebook as a result. One of them became this film. The psychology of a wicked son and a mother thinking of her son was peculiar. I worked on the script with the desire to understand that heart."

He wrote the story as a son and also as a parent of children. Yeon Sang-ho opened up, saying, "I have an elementary school daughter and a five-year-old son. Raising children, I realize it's not easy. Nevertheless, I'm doing it with a resolve to do my best."

He said, "I thought that just as I made that resolve, that heart should come first," and explained, "I created Yoo Seo-young thinking, isn't she also someone immersed in that?"

The overall story was conceived in line with Milton's epic "Paradise Lost." Eve succumbing to Satan's temptation through the serpent's body, and humanity being cast out from paradise.

Director Yeon explained, "A being that has the identity of a human while being able only to long for paradise eternally. I wanted to make it fitting that theme."

He added, "In the AI era, I think being human means living in a world with contemplation. Because we contemplate, suffering and joy arise. I tried to make it by capturing the way of an abyss, a space of unresolved contemplation within that."

It is one of the low-budget projects following "Face," which was presented last year. Filming was completed in just 14 sessions. The filming period was about a month.

Director Yeon Sang-ho said, "I thought 'Face,' which I shot last year, was personal work, but it received good responses. Thanks to that, I was able to shoot 'Paradise Lost.'"

Given it was a small-scale project, the help of fellow actors was also significant. First, Shin Hyun-bin took charge of the narration that develops the opening incident of the film. Actor Goo Kyo-hwan makes a cameo appearance.

Director Yeon said, "When Shin Hyun-bin came for post-recording of 'Swarm,' I casually asked her," and revealed, "Actor Goo Kyo-hwan dressed and appeared as an extra himself. He even came to the wrap-up party."

He said, "Close actor friends helped without commercial purpose, almost like club activity, making the film," and "This type of work seems fun. I hope to do this club activity once a year."

"Paradise Lost" is a film that follows Yoo Seo-young's psychology. Here, Yoo Sunoo, who appears after nine years, must leave a strong impact and create cracks in the narrative.

"Paradise Lost" was completed through Kim Hyun-joo's passionate performance and Bae Hyun-sung's full commitment. Kim Hyun-joo said, "If filming had been longer, it would have been mentally difficult," and "Rather, because it was short, I was able to concentrate."

She didn't calculate her acting greatly. Because upon reading the scenario after creating keywords for Yoo Seo-young, she naturally became immersed.

Kim Hyun-joo revealed her concerns about acting, saying, "When you look at the script, there are emotions that have to be those emotions. However, I had to act with authentic emotions."

She continued, "After Sunoo left, I thought Seo-young lived like someone already dead," and "When a son came one day, she seemed to feel it like the appearance of a strange man."

Bae Hyun-sung said, "There weren't many lines, but I had to express through eyes and actions. I made efforts to create an eerie atmosphere and cold air by slowing down movements and gait."

A "Paradise Lost - Universe" that expands the world of the main film was also released. It's a short film series where the technology that allowed Yoo Seo-young to meet her dead son again through AI is applied to different characters.

Director Yeon Sang-ho said, "I thought about making a spin-off or anthology-style short film of the movie," and explained, "Making a short film for marketing is a labor-intensive work. Now with the technology level of generative AI, I tried working on it."

He was also asked about the impact AI will have on film. He said, "It's an issue that everyone in the industry is concerned about," but "The question of whether AI can become art is ultimately like asking whether universality can become originality."

He added, "Marcel Duchamp exhibited a toilet produced at a factory with the name 'Fountain.' This sparked a controversy about whether mass-produced items, so-called 'readymades,' could also become art. Generative AI also has sufficient potential to connect to originality."

Lastly, Bae Hyun-sung said, "As it's my first lead film, I'm nervous and tense. I ask for much anticipation and interest."

Kim Hyun-joo also encouraged viewing, saying, "Though the time is short, the film has deep concentration."

Yeon Sang-ho greeted, "I think the ultimate entertainment of film as a medium is a film you can discuss with someone next to you. I tried to ensure the 'Paradise Lost' Universe can be an extension of that. Thank you."

<Photo=Seunghoon Lee>