The Cannes International Film Festival is one of the world’s largest film festivals, eagerly anticipated each year. The announcement of the films chosen for the 2024 official selection list was made on April 11. A total of 54 films were invited across both competitive and non-competitive categories.
Korean films frequently grace this prestigious festival. One such category that often showcases Korean cinema is the Midnight Screenings, a part of the non-competitive section known for its intriguing and unique genre films. Below are ten Korean films that have been featured in the Midnight Screenings section at the Cannes International Film Festival.
1. The Target (2014)
Follows the pursuit of a former mercenary framed for murder and a doctor searching for his wife.
trailer for the film The Target (doc. CJ ENM/The Target)2. Office (2015)
Stars Park Sung Woong investigating a man who vanished after killing his family, uncovering strange clues in his workplace.
Office movie trailer (facebook.com/littlebigcinema)3. Train to Busan (2016)
A beloved Korean zombie film, was screened at the 69th Cannes Film Festival’s Midnight Screenings.
Train to Busan movie poster (facebook.com/its.NEW.contents)4. The Merciless (2017)
Features Im Siwan as an undercover police officer targeting Sul Kyung Gu, a high-ranking official in a criminal organization.
trailer for the film The Merciless (doc. CJ ENM/The Merciless)5. The Villainess (2017)
Stars Kim Ok Vin as a killer from China seeking a new life in South Korea.
trailer for the film The Villainess (post.naver.com/NEW)6. The Spy Gone North (2018)
Stars Hwang Jung Min in the true story of a South Korean spy known as Black Venus.
trailer for the film The Spy Gone North (doc. CJ ENM/The Spy Gone North)7. The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil (2019)
Depicts the collaboration between gangsters and police to catch a serial killer.
trailer for the film The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil (doc. BA Entertainment/The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil)8.Hunt (2022)
Marks actor Lee Jung Jae’s directorial debut, also featuring Jung Woo Sung and Go Youn Jung.
Hunt movie trailer (twitter.com/megabox_plusm)9. Project Silence
Invited to the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, is a posthumous work by the late Lee Sun Kyun, yet to be officially released in cinemas.
trailer for the film Project Silence (doc. CJ ENM/Project Silence)10. Veteran 2
Also known as I, The Executioner, is invited for 2024. Jung Hae In joins Hwang Jung Min’s detective team as a new character.
Hwang Jung Min (doc. SEM Company)movie poster I, The Executioner (doc. CJ ENM)Jung Hae In (doc. FNC Entertainment)South Korean films have consistently received invitations for Midnight Screenings since 2014, except during the COVID-19 hiatus in 2020 and 2021. Meanwhile, I, The Executioner is set to be a highlight of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, scheduled for May 14–25, 2024.