Creator of Cannes Golden Palm winner explores imagination in 'Fin'; Park Se-young aims to make a '30-year-old's film'

Director Park Se-young's latest film, 'Fin,' plunges viewers into a near-future South Korea choked by polluted seas and plagued by water shortages. The science-fiction narrative centers on 'Omegas,' individuals with genetic mutations, and the people who exploit them. The film's stark visual language, featuring fiery seas, mosaic-like depictions of mutated humans, and monochromatic buildings contrasted with vibrant indoor fishing spots, creates a uniquely unsettling atmosphere.

Park, who previously directed 'The Fifth Thoracic Vertebra,' a film that screened at the Berlin International Film Festival, explained that 'Fin' was conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic. "I wanted to ask whether it's truly ethical to equate cleanliness and healthy living with virtue, especially when society increasingly pressures individuals to pursue these ideals," he stated. The film visually embodies the "atmosphere of suspicion and fear" he felt during that period.

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I wanted to ask whether it's truly ethical to equate cleanliness and healthy living with virtue, especially when society increasingly pressures individuals to pursue these ideals.

Despite facing funding challenges and completing his previous film independently with a modest budget, Park collaborated with renowned European producer Philippe Bober, known for his work on Palme d'Or winners like 'The Square' and 'The Triangle of Sadness.' This collaboration, spanning nearly four years and involving extensive editing discussions, helped shape 'Fin.' Park, now 30, expressed a desire to create a "30-year-old's film" for his next project, signaling a potential shift in his artistic direction.

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I want to make a film for a 30-year-old.