Hong Sang-soo Wins Best Director, Kim Min-hee Best Acting at Locarno Film Festival

Hong Sang-soo's latest film, 'Where the Light Comes From,' has garnered significant international acclaim, securing three awards at the 79th Locarno Film Festival. The director was honored with the Best Director award, while lead actress Kim Min-hee received the Best Acting award. The film also earned the Ecumenical Jury Prize, recognizing its profound message.

This is not the first time Hong Sang-soo has been recognized at Locarno; 'Right Now, Wrong Then' (2015) won the festival's top prize, the Golden Leopard. 'Where the Light Comes From' marks his fifth official selection at the festival. For Kim Min-hee, this is her second Best Acting award at Locarno, having previously won for 'The Day I Died' (2024). The Ecumenical Jury Prize, awarded by Swiss Protestant and Catholic church juries, specifically honors films with deep messages about human life, dignity, social values, peace, human rights, and spirituality.

The film features a cast including Kwon Hae-hyo, Shin Seok-ho, and Park Mi-so, who have collaborated with Hong Sang-soo on previous projects. Notably, veteran actress Choi Myung-gil makes her first collaboration with the director, portraying the mother in the story. The narrative follows Sang-hee (Kim Min-hee) as she travels to Jeju Island to find her mother, whom she hasn't seen in ten years.

Kim Min-hee's appearance at the festival marked her first official public activity since giving birth. Credited as a producer as well as an actress, she expressed her affection for her son during the audience Q&A and in her acceptance speech. She also extended her gratitude to Hong Sang-soo, referring to him as both a colleague and partner. 'Where the Light Comes From,' Hong Sang-soo's 35th directorial work, is slated for release in South Korea in the latter half of this year.

“

I am grateful to the director who made such a beautiful film like a poem.