A still from the film "Fins" [Seesaw Pictures, Emu Films]
A still from the film "Fins" [Seesaw Pictures, Emu Films]

"Fins," a Korean film set for domestic release this month, has confirmed theatrical openings across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East and North Africa region.

The film will roll out globally starting with a French premiere on Wednesday, ahead of its domestic opening on July 22.

"Fins" is a dystopian science-fiction art film set in a near-future unified Korea where humans coexist with "Omegas," individuals carrying a genetic mutation. It is the latest work from director Park Se-young, who has built a distinctive cinematic vision through his previous films "The Fifth Thoracic Vertebra" and "Slide Strum Mute."

The film counts among its producers Philippe Bober, who produced "The Square," winner of the Palme d'Or at the 70th Cannes Film Festival, and "Triangle of Sadness," winner of the same prize at the 75th edition. "Fins" was also officially selected for the "Filmmakers of the Present" section — the rookie director competition — at the 78th Locarno Film Festival.

The film is set to reach audiences in France, the United States and Canada, as well as Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Greece, Cyprus, Poland, Singapore, Hong Kong and the MENA region.

North American distribution will be handled by Kani Releasing, a curated distributor known for bringing major works from Asian cinema to local audiences. It is rare for a Korean independent film to reach North American audiences through a local distributor.

"Fins" opens in South Korea on July 22.


balme@heraldcorp.com