Korean auteur Lee Chang-dong calls 'Possible Love' attempt to understand humans

Seoul, September 16 (Yonhap) -- Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong explained that his acclaimed movie Possible Love aimed to comprehend and depict humans in an age dominated by artificial intelligence (AI), Netflix announced on Wednesday. The remarks came as Lee accepted the TIFF Ebert Director Award, a lifetime achievement honor awarded at the Toronto International Film Festival, on Sunday (Canadian time), according to the streaming service that distributes the film.

Lee was the first Korean director to receive the distinction. Korean actor Sul Kyung-gu, who starred in three of Lee's films - Peppermint Candy (2000), Oasis (2002) and Possible Love - presented the award to the director. Lee stated, "I believed film was a medium most beneficial in understanding humans and I created films because of this belief.

However, as I continued making films, I also realized how challenging it is to comprehend humans." In an era where AI gradually replaces humans and ego diminishes, Lee still believed films should focus on humans, calling Possible Love a small effort to achieve that. He expressed gratitude for the award, stating it motivated him to continue filmmaking.

Lee was accompanied by three of the four main actors of the film - Jeon Do-yeon, Sul, Cho Yeo-jeong and Zo In-sung - at the Toronto event. During a post-screening discussion, Lee highlighted how the loss of values like labor, identity and self is not only a Korean issue but a global one. Zo, who played Sang-woo, the affluent husband of documentary filmmaker Ye-ji, said he tried to portray a new wealthier character by approaching the role with an open mind through many conversations with Lee and feeling a great sense of liberation during the scenes.

Cho, who played Ye-ji, also thanked Lee for creating an environment where she could fully immerse herself in the character. Possible Love is Lee's first feature film in eight years, following the critically acclaimed Burning (2018). It follows the intertwined lives of a disgruntled worker and his wife, and a documentary filmmaker and her wealthy husband.

The film was the first Korean film to win a prize at the Venice film festival since Kim Ki-duk's crime thriller Pieta in 2012, and the first Korean film to win the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize. Possible Love will be released in South Korea next Wednesday and will be available on Netflix starting November 6.