“Brace Yourself!” Park Chan-wook Recommends Ken Russell’s The Devils at Special Screening

At last, audiences got to see a legendary film. On November 2, a special screening of the 4K uncut restored version of Ken Russell’s 〈The Devils〉 was held at the Park Chan-wook Theater at CGV Yongsan. The first release from Clockwork, Warner Bros.’ newly launched label specializing in classic and arthouse films, 〈The Devils〉 opened in 350 theaters across North America on October 16, grossing $1.8 million in its opening weekend. The strong performance prompted an extension after the film had initially been scheduled to run for just one week.

When it was released in 1971, 〈The Devils〉 was engulfed in controversy over censorship. Set in Loudun, France, during the reign of Louis XIII in the 17th century, the film follows priest Urbain Grandier (Oliver Reed), who has fallen out of favor with Cardinal Richelieu (Christopher Logue). After a nun, Jeanne (Vanessa Redgrave), accuses him, Grandier is falsely branded a devil worshiper and put on trial amid a wave of hysteria. The special screening is part of a global series hosted by Clockwork. Director Kleber Mendonça Filho introduced the film in Recife, Brazil, on October 31; Park Chan-wook did so in Seoul on November 2; and director Robert Eggers will introduce it in London on November 11.

Taking the stage before the screening, Park Chan-wook began his introduction by saying he had long been a fan of Ken Russell. 〈The Devils〉 was selected for the 2026 edition of Cannes Classics, the Cannes Film Festival section devoted to restored classic films. Park had the chance to see it there, as he was this year’s jury president at the festival’s 79th edition. “A long time ago, I was invited to a film festival in Japan. Ken Russell was the focus of a retrospective there, so I watched all of his films. Among them was 〈Mahler〉 (1974), about the life of Gustav Mahler, which drew me into his life and music. But I was disappointed that 〈Women in Love〉 (1969) and 〈The Devils〉 weren’t on the program. I finally got to see them at Cannes this year,” he said. “After watching 〈The Devils〉, every other film in the world seemed tame and obedient. Brace yourself before you watch it,” he said in a strong recommendation.

As in North America, 〈The Devils〉 is preparing for a limited theatrical release. Details on the schedule and format will be announced later.