Hong Sangsoo’s Locarno Winner Lands Four New Deals Through Finecut

By Grace Kim

Finecut said Hong Sangsoo’s “Nowhere to Lay My Eyes,” winner of best direction, best performance and the Ecumenical Jury Prize at the 79th Locarno Film Festival, has secured four new territory deals (distribution rights for a named market). The Seoul-based sales outfit (international rights agent) also announced four territory deals for “Journey There.”

Finecut named the buyers for the four new “Nowhere to Lay My Eyes” deals:

• France: Carlotta Films
• Japan: Mimosa Films
• Argentina: Kligger
• Portugal: The Stone and the Plot

Finecut also reported six earlier sales:

• North America: The Cinema Guild
• Austria: Filmgarten
• China: Hugoeast
• Spain: Atalante
• Taiwan: Cola Films
• United Kingdom: The Institute of Contemporary Arts

What does the Locarno win change for buyers?

The three Locarno awards give buyers a simple way to assess the film: it has won direction, performance and a jury prize at the festival. The practical effect of the new sales is wider market coverage, with partners across 10 named territories after the four latest agreements.

The film behind the deals

Finecut described “Nowhere to Lay My Eyes” as Hong’s 35th feature. It identified regular collaborators Kim Minhee (“By the Stream”) and Kwon Haehyo (“What Does That Nature Say to You”).

The announcement marked Hong’s first outing with Choi Myeonggil, whose credits include the TV series “Durian’s Affair.” Jeonwonsa Film Co. produced the feature.

New buyers for “Journey There”

Finecut said “Journey There” is the first Korean production to star “Beef” actor Justin H. Min. It sold to Andrews Film for Taiwan, KDDI Corporation for Japan, Lev Cinema for Israel and Izagur Media for Mongolia, while Kairos Distribution acquired inflight rights (airline-screen rights).

Finecut’s synopsis follows a middle-aged widow preparing for her own journey. The move into a new apartment draws her into relationships she did not see coming.

Finecut listed Min’s credits as Kogonada’s “After Yang” and the Netflix series “Beef” and “The Umbrella Academy.” It identified “Journey There” as Kim Jin-yu’s second feature, following her debut “Bori.”

Finecut said “Bori” took two prizes at the 24th Schlingel International Film Festival. Kim’s own company, Pado, produced “Journey There.”

Finecut said “Journey There” was released in Korea on Oct. 28. The film has been invited to the Moscow International Film Festival, the New York Asian Film Festival and, more recently, the Paris and London Korean film festivals.

Finecut’s wider AFM slate

Fresh from Busan’s Asian Contents & Film Market, Finecut is heading to AFM with a slate that includes the animated “Long Long Night.” The film will screen for buyers for the first time in an English-dubbed version.

Finecut said “Long Long Night” also has invitations from Toronto, Busan and Sitges. The company is also offering “Dora,” selected for Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight and Busan’s Gala Presentation section.

“Wi-Fi Love in the Palace” completes the three-film section of Finecut’s announced slate. Finecut described it as a period fantasy romance starring Kim Young-hoon of K-pop group The Boyz.

Finecut’s AFM push will now test whether buyers add markets to those already represented by “Nowhere to Lay My Eyes” and “Journey There.” The English-dubbed screening of “Long Long Night” gives buyers a direct way to assess the animated film, beyond the festival invitations already announced.