Na Hong-jin is returning to Cannes with his long-awaited sci-fi thriller Hope, and Neon has come onboard to bring the Korean auteur’s latest project to North American audiences. The film features an international ensemble led by Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Hoyeon, Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell, and Cameron Britton.
Neon’s deal, which was confirmed ahead of the film’s world premiere at the frestival, marks the company’s sixth title in this year’s official selection, joining Arthur Harari’s The Unknown, Cristian Mungiu’s Fjord, Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s All of a Sudden, and Hirokazu Koreeda’s Sheep in the Box — all competing for the Palme d’Or — alongside Nicolas Winding Refn’s Her Private Hell screening out of competition.
Written and directed by Na, Hope unfolds in Hope Harbor, a remote community on the edge of the Korean Demilitarized Zone. The story follows police chief Bum-seok as local youths report a tiger sighting — an event that soon descends into a nightmarish unraveling of reality. According to the film’s synopsis, “As the village erupts into panic, Bum-seok is forced to confront a reality beyond belief.”
Na, who redefined Korean genre cinema with The Wailing, The Yellow Sea, and The Chaser, described working with his cast as a profoundly rewarding experience. “I’m deeply grateful to the actors for taking on these roles and delivering such dedicated performances,” he said when the project was first revealed. “They conveyed everything this film set out to capture with remarkable talent and focus. I have felt this every time, but their collective presence is truly extraordinary.”
Eugene Kim, Head of Content at Plus M Entertainment, expressed confidence in the partnership. “We are thrilled to partner with Neon, a distributor that has consistently demonstrated an unparalleled eye for global masterpieces,” she said. “Given the genre-bending nature of Hope, I am eager to see what a powerful impression it will make on North American audiences through Neon’s sophisticated expertise.”
Cannes Artistic Director Thierry Frémaux teased Na’s entry during the festival lineup announcement, calling Hope a film that “constantly changes genres” to portray “a story of no part of history that’s ever been told before.” The Cannes slot marks Na’s fourth appearance at the festival, following The Wailing (2016), The Yellow Sea (2011), and The Chaser (2008).
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The film adds to Neon’s Cannes-winning streak, with the distributor holding the record for six consecutive Palme d’Or victories — including Parasite, Titane, Triangle of Sadness, Anatomy of a Fall, Anora, and It Was Just an Accident. Two of those, Parasite and Anora, went on to capture the Oscar for Best Picture.
Neon plans a full theatrical release for Hope after its Cannes world premiere.
