Director Na Hong-jin’s latest film ‘Hope’ will premiere at the 79th Cannes International Film Festival competition section with a 160-minute runtime. This marks the longest running time among all of the director’s works to date.
The festival’s official website revealed detailed information about the competition entry. The nearly 2 hour and 40 minute duration surpasses Na’s previous notable works, which each ran approximately 156 minutes, making this his most extended cinematic piece yet.
It’s worth noting that the final theatrical release version may undergo some editing adjustments based on audience feedback and refinement following the festival screening.
Additional plot details have been unveiled. The film follows a local station chief who receives reports from young villagers about tiger sightings in the area. The story unfolds as he becomes entangled in extraordinary events that seem impossible to believe.
The narrative takes place during a forest fire emergency, with backup forces deployed and communication systems down, adding layers of tension to the unfolding mystery.
The festival described the work as exploring how ignorance becomes the seed of catastrophe, escalating through human conflict into tragedy of cosmic proportions.
The film brings together an impressive international ensemble cast including Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung, Jung Ho-yeon, Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell, and Cameron Britton. The roles span from the station chief to local youth and police officers, creating a diverse character landscape.
This marks Na Hong-jin’s first competition section appearance at Cannes, representing a significant milestone in his career approximately 10 years after his previous festival appearance. His earlier films were featured in various festival sections including midnight screenings and non-competitive showcases.
The 79th Cannes International Film Festival is scheduled to begin on May 12th.