Venice Grand Jury Prize winner Lee Chang-dong’s ‘Possible Love’ marks Korean first; Netflix to release six films spanning 24 years

83rd Venice Grand Jury Prize winner begins worldwide streaming Nov. 6

A new milestone has been set in Korean cinema. “Possible Love,” the latest film by acclaimed director Lee Chang-dong, won the Grand Jury Prize in the competition section of the Venice International Film Festival, drawing praise from critics around the world. It is the first time a Korean film has won the Grand Jury Prize in the festival’s competition section. The achievement comes 24 years after Lee won the Best Director award for “Oasis” in 2002, marking his return to a major prize.

Against the backdrop of the landmark achievement, global streaming service Netflix is moving quickly. On the 14th, Netflix officially announced that it would introduce a succession of Lee Chang-dong’s acclaimed earlier films to overseas markets, spotlighting the director’s remarkable body of work.

“Green Fish” and “Secret Sunshine” began streaming in Italy, Britain, France, Australia and other markets in late August. On the 4th of this month, “Peppermint Candy” and “Oasis” became available in Italy and Spain, drawing an enthusiastic response from local film fans. “Poetry” and “Burning” are also scheduled for phased releases in the United States, Japan, Canada and other markets. All of the films support subtitles in six languages, including English and Korean, significantly expanding their global accessibility.

Meanwhile, “Possible Love,” the new film that captivated Venice, will first hit theaters in South Korea on the 23rd. After meeting audiences on the big screen, it is expected to carry that momentum into homes worldwide through Netflix beginning Nov. 6.