Lee Chang-dong returns to Venice after 8 years with 'Possible Love'

Director Lee Chang-dong brings his first film in eight years to Venice

The film poses questions about cinema and the nature of human relationships

(From left) Actors Jo In-sung, Jo Yeo-jeong, director Lee Chang-dong, Jeon Do-yeon and Sul Kyung-gu pose at the photo call for the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on Sunday (local time). [AFP]

"'Possible Love' holds our questions about cinema and about the fundamentally changing nature of human relationships," director Lee Chang-dong said.

Lee arrived at the Lido in Venice, Italy, for the 83rd Venice International Film Festival with "Possible Love," his first film in eight years. The film competes in the main competition, vying for the Golden Lion — the festival's top prize — against 19 other titles. It follows two couples whose lives become entangled: a laid-off worker and his wife, and a director couple trying to document their lives.

At the official press conference for "Possible Love" on Sunday (local time), Lee spoke about the doubts and questions he wrestled with while bringing the film into the world after eight years. Lead actors Sul Kyung-gu, Jeon Do-yeon, Jo In-sung and Jo Yeo-jeong joined him at the event.

"Eight years have passed since 'Burning' (2018). I felt our lives themselves changing rapidly during that time," Lee said. "There was the COVID-19 pandemic, and going through that period made me think fundamentally about whether cinema still holds some power — whether it can still connect people to one another."

Director Lee Chang-dong poses at the photo call for the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on Sunday (local time). [EPA]

When a reporter asked what he believed the role of a storyteller to be in an era when both film and journalism are described as "dying industries," Lee pointed to the character Yeji — a documentary director played by Jo Yeo-jeong in the film. He described Yeji as "the character closest to my own identity as a filmmaker."

"Yeji is a character who constantly questions her attitude toward filmmaking — what state of mind she should be in when filming her subjects, and what her relationship with them should be," Lee said. "Since I was young, whenever I dealt with other people's stories — whether the subjects were workers, minorities or students — I always asked myself how close I was to them, how much I was writing from their perspective. That question has never left me."

Lee said the question extends beyond documentary directors and journalists. "It applies to anyone who works in narrative — anyone who tells other people's stories," he said. "In this era, it can feel as though our role is shrinking and we are losing the meaning of our work. But I think that connects to a fundamental question all workers face: how to survive and find one's own identity."

The actors also shared their thoughts on working with Lee — for some, a first collaboration; for others, a long-awaited reunion.

Actors Sul Kyung-gu and Jeon Do-yeon pose at the photo call for the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on Sunday (local time). [AFP]

Sul, reuniting with Lee for the first time since "Peppermint Candy" (1999) and "Oasis," said the tension and pressure on set back then had been overwhelming — he had wanted to run away. "But as time passed, I found myself missing those moments," he said. "I think I was trying, without realizing it, to return to that beginner's mindset."

"This project was once again 'Lee Chang-dong magic,'" Sul added. "The director doesn't push you especially hard or demand a great deal, but my own state of mind makes me think more deeply."

Jeon, working with Lee for the second time after "Miryang" (2007), said she already knew from that experience what she needed to prepare. "It was about emptying my mind, going to the set with an open heart and letting the character come to me," she said.

"During 'Miryang,' the director told me I had to show even a little growth," Jeon said. "At the time I didn't understand what he meant — I only understood after the film was finished. I think this time, too, it may have been a small moment of growth for me."

Jo Yeo-jeong, working with Lee for the first time, said she had never imagined she would get to make a film with him. "I was overjoyed beyond words," she said. "The teamwork was truly wonderful."

balme@heraldcorp.com