Acclaimed South Korean director Lee Chang-dong returned after 24 years to the Venice Film Festival, where he was warmly embraced with a 6-minute standing ovation for his romantic drama “Possible Love.”
“I’m not the type of filmmaker who can make movies easily,” Lee said previously of the lengthy gap between projects. “Before I begin a film, I must be certain of what it means — to me, to the audience, and to cinema itself. That is why ‘Possible Love’ took so long to make.”
“Possible Love” marks Lee’s return to Venice competition in nearly a quarter-century, following his Silver Lion win for “Oasis” in 2002. This is the director’s first feature film in eight years, since 2018’s psychological thriller “Burning.” His other major works include “Green Fish,” “Peppermint Candy,” “Secret Sunshine” and “Poetry.”
