Director Hong Sang-soo and actor Kim Min-hee present their new film "Nowhere to Lay My Eyes" at the 79th Locarno International Film Festival. [AP/Yonhap]
Director Hong Sang-soo and actor Kim Min-hee present their new film "Nowhere to Lay My Eyes" at the 79th Locarno International Film Festival. [AP/Yonhap]

"Nowhere to Lay My Eyes," directed by Hong Sang-soo and starring Kim Min-hee, will open in South Korea on Oct. 21, distributor Younghwa Jaejakjeonwonsa announced Friday.

The film is Hong's 35th feature. It follows Sanghee (played by Kim), who grew up with her grandparents after her parents' relationship fell apart, as she travels to Jeju Island with her younger brother in search of their mother.

The film competed at last month's 79th Locarno Film Festival, where it won the best director award and the best performance award for Kim. It also received the Ecumenical Jury Prize, awarded by a panel of Swiss Protestant and Catholic church representatives to films that convey a message about human life and dignity.

The cast also includes Choi Myung-gil, Kwon Hae-hyo, Shin Seok-ho and Park Mi-so.

Hong handled the screenplay, cinematography, sound recording, editing and music in addition to directing. Kim is credited as production manager.

Hong and Kim have been in a relationship for 11 years. They are said to have met on the set of "Right Now, Wrong Then" in 2015. They drew public attention last year when Kim gave birth to a child outside of marriage.

At a post-screening audience talk last month, Kim said the film was the first she had shot after having the baby. "I was realistically busy — juggling childcare — and the baby was on set while we were filming," she said. "I had to breastfeed, make baby food, all of that on set. I would wake up early, rushing around, getting everything ready for the baby before getting ready for the film."


paq@heraldcorp.com