Broker Success In Cannes

- By LJE Film

BROKER : Masterpiece

As the story centers around So-young’s (IU) baby and the rest of the cast, the director wants to deliver a heartwarming and striking message about the lives of the abandoned and orphaned and as IU had reflected, “It's a film that quietly depicts people with different values who have lived not so beautiful lives, meeting and slowly coming to understand each other. People may take away diverse impressions of this film, but that is a big part of its meaning.”

It goes without saying that IU or Lee Ji-eun, the South Korean singer-songwriter and actress has taken the world by storm not only through her K-dramas but now in the international film scene. She joined the ensemble cast of her current feature film “Broker” which was set to compete for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival this 2022.

The South-Korean drama feature is directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, who has formerly won the Jury Prize for “Like Father, Like Son” on the 2013 Cannes Film Festival and won the Palme d’Or for his film, “Shoplifters” on the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. Lee Ji-Un along with the strong ensemble cast Parasite actor Song Kang-ho, Bae Doona from Netflix’s Kingdom and Gang Dong-won tells the story of five people who are brought together by a baby box as they embark on a journey that gives meaning to the word “life”.

During the premiere the movie in 2022 Cannes Film Festival, IU, South Korea’s National Treasure walked the red carpet as she donned a gray dress by Choi Jae Hoon along with the cast and director. Her stunning visuals are praised by the netizens depicting her sophisticated beauty and elegance. Along with the actress’ positive recognition on the star-studded red carpet, her movie received a landslide of positive reviews and a 12-minute standing ovation and has beat out Park Chan-wook’s 2009 flick Thirst for the longest standing ovation for a Korean film in the festival.

Phenomenal

Viewers on the premiere were in awe of IU’s performance as she was clearly “the soul of the film” and has led the ensemble to a path of brilliance. Lee Ji Eun showed a more mature side to her acting with detailed emotional expression and a strong screen presence as she debuts to a main role playing as a mother with a mysterious past and an important decision that will affect her and her baby’s life. With refined acting that does not miss a single detail, whether it be a hand gesture or a style of walking, IU gives unusual depth to her reclusive character. As Director Kore-eda comments about her, “It felt to me that she embodied the So-young I had in my mind at once. Her emotional expression was so detailed I could hardly believe that dialogue had been written by me.”

The film has also been recognized for its exceptional cinematography as it was Hong Kyung-pyo’s recent work. Kyung-pyo previously worked on films Parasite and Snowpiercer to name a few and is known for unfussy visuals that give life and movement to the reel.

A rising masterpiece from the most seasoned filmmakers, actors and rising stars; Kore-eda describes “it’s a film that resembles a prayer, or a fervent wish”, “Broker” is set to be viewed by South Koreans on June 8, 2022 and has yet to set a date for international release. Winners of the 2022 Cannes Film Festival will be announced this Saturday.