Na Hong-jin’s New Film, “HOPE,” Selected for Competition at the 79th Cannes Film Festival—A Major Feat for Korean Cinema After 4 Years

The film 〈HOPE〉 has succeeded in securing a place in the Cannes Film Festival’s competition section.

Director Na Hong-jin’s new film, 〈HOPE〉, is a highly anticipated project that draws attention as an international production featuring Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung, Jeong Ho-yeon, Alicia Vikander, Michael Fassbender, and Taylor Kassis, among others. After wrapping production in 2024 and then facing delays in its release due to further post-production work, it is now set to hit theaters sometime in 2026.

The 79th Cannes International Film Festival, scheduled to take place on April 9 (local time), announced the titles in its international competition section. Between new works by directors Asghar Farhadi, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Christian Mungiu, and Ryusuke Hamaguchi, 〈HOPE〉 also made the list—successfully securing selection for the international competition. A new film by director Na Hong-jin, known for his meticulous direction, and a Korean film that has returned to the international competition section after four years, 〈HOPE〉’s next moves are expected to draw close attention.

In addition, at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Yeon Sang-ho’s 〈GUNCHE〉 will be screened in the festival’s Midnight Screening section. At the 79th Cannes Film Festival, director Park Chan-wook will serve as jury president as the first Korean ever. It will run from May 12 to May 23.