Lack of Korean films in Cannes Film Festival: Brain drain, Netflix influence, and additional factors
It's a damn shame, y'all! Skipping South Korean films at this year's Cannes Film Festival marks the first absence in over a decade, and some experts claim it underscores an industry-wide drain of talent.
Peep the lineup for the fest, running from May 13 to 24, and you'll see no Korean flicks in the main selection. A South Korean animated short, Glasses, directed by Jung Yoo-mi, will show up at Critics Week, a parallel event organized by the French Union of Film Critics.
Why no Korean movies in the main selection since 2013, you ask? This is the third consecutive year without any Korean films in competition at Cannes.
Korean films have been regular fixtures at Cannes since 1984, when Lee Doo-yong's Mulleya Mulleya became the first Korean production ever selected for the festival. These films and their directors have earned a strong reputation on the French Riviera.
But what gives this time?Some folks suggest that South Korea's film industry is tilted towards domestic festivals and commercial markets, which might influence submission strategies. Others propose that Cannes prioritizes artistic or thematic films that South Korean filmmakers may not always align with. Or perhaps, they're focusing on local projects or streaming-platform partnerships over international festivals.
For the 2021 specific case, no concrete explanation is available. While the recurring trend claim can't be confirmed or denied without more data, South Korea's participation in 2025 suggests active engagement, given they met Cannes' criteria for Glasses.
For definitive answers, it's best to hit up the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) or Cannes' historical selection archives. Let's hope we got some blockbuster Korean films lined up for upcoming years, ' cause we sure miss 'em at Cannes this time around!
- Notable Korean directors like Jung Yoo-mi continue to highlight their work in the entertainment industry, as shown by the upcoming South Korean animated short, Glasses, at this year's Cannes Film Festival.
- Unfortunately, the main selection at Cannes has been lacking Korean movies since 2013, with no South Korean films in competition for the third consecutive year.
- While the reasons behind this trend remain unclear for the 2021 festival, past suggestions include a shift in South Korea's film industry toward domestic festivals and commercial markets, or Cannes prioritizing artistic films that may not always align with South Korean filmmakers' perspectives.
