Jo In-sung x Jeong Ho-yeon x Hwang Jung-min! First Look at “Hope” as It Enters the Cannes Film Festival Competition Section!

Following an invitation to the 79th Cannes Film Festival in the Competition section, 〈Hope〉—which has been raising expectations by teaming up with the American distributor NEON to confirm a North American release—has revealed its first stills.

The newly released stills offer a glimpse into the film’s mise-en-scène and style. In a dark space, beyond a hazy glass window caught in the gaze of some presence, there is “Beom-seok” (Hwang Jung-min). In the deep forest, there is the tense moment captured in a still showing “Seong-gi” (Jo In-sung) aiming a gun, and “Seong-ae” (Jeong Ho-yeon) holding a gun in a destroyed village. These 〈Hope〉 stills heighten anticipation with their uniquely original mise-en-scène and standout visual appeal.

In addition, the 〈Hope〉 stills are especially intriguing because they allow you to see the vivid, firsthand faces of each character as they confront an unbelievable reality, with Hopo Harbor as the backdrop. The images—“Beom-seok,” a 출장소장 (field office manager) who has taken cover behind a broken wall and is holding a gun; “Seong-gi,” a village youth calling an emergency phone; and “Seong-ae,” who looks shocked while staring at something from inside a responding police car—introduce new sides of Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung, and Jeong Ho-yeon, transformed into the people of Hopo Harbor who are fighting desperately to protect their village. The six stills released this time will leave a special impression on movie fans around the world who have been waiting for 〈Hope〉.

〈Hope〉 is a story that begins when “Beom-seok,” the manager of a field office at Hopo Harbor located in the demilitarized zone, hears from neighborhood youths that a tiger has appeared. As the entire village is thrown into emergency mode and they encounter an unbelievable reality, the narrative unfolds. With overwhelming immersion, a high level of craftsmanship in its mise-en-scène, and outstanding direction—Na Hong-jin, the director who has captivated both audiences and critics—has spent years preparing his new work, 〈Hope〉. It will have its first unveiling through the May Cannes Film Festival World Premiere, and will meet audiences in theaters this summer.