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Netflix will expand its lineup of Lee Chang-dong films worldwide, following the Silver Lion (Grand Jury Prize) win for “Possible Love” at the Venice Film Festival.
The expansion will let viewers everywhere explore titles
including “Secret Sunshine” and “Peppermint Candy.”
“Possible Love,” Lee’s first film in eight years, opens in South Korean theaters Sept. 23, followed by Australia and New Zealand on Oct. 22 and the U.K., Japan, the U.S. and Canada on Oct. 23. The film will premiere globally on Netflix on Nov. 6.
Netflix has also been adding earlier Lee titles to its library in additional countries alongside the new release. “Green Fish” and “Secret Sunshine” began streaming in late August in Italy, the U.K., France, Australia and New Zealand. “Peppermint Candy” and “Oasis” joined the platform in Italy and Spain on Sept. 4. “Poetry” and “Burning” are also planned for release in markets including Japan, the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Rollout timing differs by market, and some territories will get the films with subtitle options covering as many as six languages, Korean among them.
Lee debuted as a director with “Green Fish” in 1997, going on to build a filmography that also includes “Peppermint Candy,” “Oasis,” “Secret Sunshine,” “Poetry” and “Burning.” His work has drawn top honors on the festival circuit: “Oasis” earned him a directing prize at Venice in 2002, and “Poetry” took the screenplay award at Cannes in 2010. Lee’s newest distinction came at the Toronto Film Festival’s 51st edition, where he became the first Korean filmmaker to receive its Ebert Director Award.
“Possible Love” centers on two couples: one formed by a man who has lost his job and his wife, the other by a woman who directs documentaries and her husband. Their lives intersect during the making of a documentary, drawing out desires and struggles each had kept hidden. The film stars Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong, and is South Korea’s submission for the best international feature film category at the 99th Academy Awards.
