Jeong Juri Director ‘Dora’ Invited to Directors’ Fortnight at the 79th Cannes Film Festival

Director Jeong Juri’s third feature film ‘Dora (DORA)’ has been officially invited to the 79th Cannes International Film Festival (Festival de Cannes) under Directors’ Fortnight (Quinzaine des Cinéastes). With this, Jeong has achieved the rare feat of three consecutive Cannes appearances, with every feature film—from her debut work to her newest release—now receiving an invitation to Cannes.

■ A contemporary reimagining of the Dora case… “bold and original”

On the 14th (local time), the Directors’ Fortnight executive committee of the Cannes Film Festival announced through an official release that Director Jeong Juri’s Dora has been selected as an invited title. Executive committee chair Julien Rege introduced the work as “a free and original film inspired by the early-20th-century Freud case of ‘Dora,’” adding that it is “a high-quality piece that boldly explores a young woman’s desires—along with the fervor and confusion they generate.”

‘Dora’ reconstructs the modern sensibilities of the ‘Dora’ case, one of Sigmund Freud’s clinical records, the founder of psychoanalysis. The film is known for delving deeply into how two individuals whose bodies and minds have been wounded become entangled in a whirlpool of complex emotions.

■ The meeting of Sakura Ando and Kim Do-yeon… the pinnacle of a global co-production

‘Dora,’ which drew attention even during the casting stage, is gaining notice for bringing together actors who represent Korea and Japan. Acclaimed acting powerhouse Sakura Ando, a performer who has won the Japanese Academy Award for Best Actress three times, and Kim Do-yeon, who has firmly established her standing by transitioning from singer to actress, will share the screen.

In particular, this project is an international collaboration in which not only Korea but also France, Luxembourg, and Japan participated through co-investment and co-production. The key point to watch at this year’s Cannes Film Festival is what kind of synergy Director Jeong Juri’s sharp eye for society—unique to her style—could generate when combined with global capital and talent.

■ Following ‘Dohuiya’ and ‘Next So-hee,’ a third trip to Cannes

With ‘Dohuiya’ in 2014 (Un Certain Regard), ‘Next So-hee’ in 2022 (Directors’ Fortnight closing film), and now ‘Dora’, Director Jeong Juri has again received an invitation from Cannes, proving herself a true star of Cannes.

The Directors’ Fortnight section that has invited her is one that has featured major Korean filmmakers such as Lee Chang-dong, Bong Joon-ho, and Yeon Sang-ho. It primarily introduces original and innovative films that do not fit into commercial molds. Director Jeong’s Dora is set to make its world premiere for film professionals around the globe during this festival.