Park Chan-wook Named Jury President for 79th Cannes Film Festival
Director Park Chan-wook has been named the president of the jury for the 79th Cannes Film Festival, scheduled to take place from May 12 to May 23. He succeeds French actor Juliette Binoche, who chaired the previous jury.
This appointment marks Park Chan-wook as the first South Korean filmmaker to preside over the festival's jury.
Appointment Details
Park Chan-wook will lead the jury responsible for selecting the Palme d'Or and other official awards at the 79th Cannes Film Festival. The festival's president, Iris Knobloch, and director, Thierry Frémaux, acknowledged Park Chan-wook's cinematic contributions and leadership capabilities in their statements regarding the appointment.
A History with Cannes
Park Chan-wook has a notable history with the Cannes Film Festival, having premiered four features in Competition. His previous recognitions at the festival include:
- 2004: Grand Jury Prize for "Oldboy"
- 2009: Jury Prize for "Thirst"
- 2016: "The Handmaiden" premiered in competition
- 2022: Best Director for "Decision to Leave"
His extensive filmography also includes works such as "Stoker" (2013), "Sympathy for Mister Vengeance" (2002), "Lady Vengeance" (2005), "JSA (Joint Security Area)" (2000), and the upcoming "No Other Choice" (2025).
Significance of the Role
Park Chan-wook's appointment represents a significant moment for both the festival and South Korean cinema.
He is the first South Korean to serve as the Cannes jury president in the festival's 79-year history.
Globally, he is the third Asian director to hold this prestigious position, following Japan's Tetsurō Furakaki in 1962 and Hong Kong's Wong Kar-wai in 2006. The festival's decision to appoint Park Chan-wook signals its continued recognition of Korean cinema.
Statements from the Festival and Park Chan-wook
Festival President Iris Knobloch and Director Thierry Frémaux acknowledged Park Chan-wook's creativity, visual expertise, and his ability to portray diverse human experiences, noting his profound impact on contemporary cinema. They also expressed enthusiasm for his leadership of the jury.
Park Chan-wook commented on the collective experience of watching films, stating his anticipation for the "double, voluntary confinement" of watching films and engaging in jury debates.
He described the shared experience of cinema as an expression of solidarity.
The festival's statement drew comparisons between Park's distinctive work and that of acclaimed filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino, Brian De Palma, and David Fincher.
Broader Recognition of Korean Cinema at Cannes
The Cannes Film Festival has a history of recognizing South Korean cinema with numerous accolades. Other notable South Korean filmmakers and their awards at Cannes include:
- 2002: Im Kwon-taek received Best Director.
- 2010: Lee Chang-dong earned Best Screenplay for 'Poetry'.
- 2019: Bong Joon-ho won the Palme d'Or for 'Parasite'.
Filmmakers such as Hong Sang-soo, Kim Ki-duk, Kim Jee-woon, Yeon Sang-ho, Byun Sung-hyun, and Lee Won-tae have also presented films in competition at the festival, further solidifying Korean cinema's international presence.