'Possible Love' Director Lee Chang-dong Shares Post-Award Q&A From Venice

〈Possible Love〉 successfully concluded its first festival appearance after winning the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.

Immediately after the ceremony and news conference, director Lee Chang-dong shared his thoughts on returning to the Venice International Film Festival for the first time in 24 years, winning the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize and what it means, along with a message for Korean fans, before leaving for Toronto.

[Brief Q&A with director Lee Chang-dong after the 83rd Venice International Film Festival awards ceremony]

Q. How do you feel about winning the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival, which you attended for the first time in 24 years?

I am very happy and grateful to have won the Silver Lion.

Some people may be disappointed that it was not the Golden Lion, but I think this is more than enough.

The award matters, but this was also the first time I presented 〈Possible Love〉 in Venice and met the audience. What matters more to me is the audience's response—the expressions and faces of the people who watched the film.

The feeling of emotions passing back and forth between them and me gives me tremendous strength.

Q. You were unable to join the actors in Toronto for the film festival. Is there anything you would like to say to them? Have you already had a chance to speak separately with the cast of 〈Possible Love〉?

I was disappointed that the actors could not be at the ceremony this time.

They left a day or two earlier for their Toronto commitments. I believe they watched the ceremony through this video in Toronto. They were very happy and exchanged text messages with me.

Many people who saw the film praised the ensemble the actors created in it.

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

Q. Many journalists and fans in Korea have sent their support and congratulations. Could you say a few words to them? And could you also greet those you will see at the Korean press screening on the 21st in advance?

I am deeply grateful that so many audience members in Korea watched the Venice Film Festival closely, eagerly waiting to see what kind of response our film would receive.

We have now met the audience here for the first time, and I see this as the beginning.

I am very much looking forward to seeing how many audience members we will meet, how deeply we will communicate with one another through this film, and how we will share and connect over what the film is trying to say. From this moment on, I am waiting for the chance to meet the audience.

Q. Finally, what do you think winning at this year's Venice Film Festival will mean to you?

This award has given me great strength and encouragement. As I make films, I always hope that each one will have meaning for me, for the audience and in its own right.

I hope this film will resonate meaningfully with audiences in the future. This award seems to be giving me that strength and encouragement.

By winning the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, 〈Possible Love〉 has elevated the global standing of Korean cinema while announcing the return of a master filmmaker with a new work after an eight-year absence. The film will open in theaters on Sept. 23 and stream on Netflix on Nov. 6.