Lee Chang-dong says Korean films face high barriers at Oscars
The director says he will still push for his cast and crew as Possible Love goes to Netflix later on Friday.
South Korean director Lee Chang-dong said on Friday he would give his all in the Academy Awards race despite a difficult environment for Korean films, South Korea's national news agency Yonhap reported.
His film "Possible Love" is his first feature in eight years, following "Burning" in 2018, and it won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the Venice International Film Festival.
It has also been chosen as South Korea's entry for the Oscars.
Asked about its Oscar prospects in a group media interview, Lee said the success of "Parasite" had created an optical illusion.
"That kind of success may not come again easily," he said.
Lee said barriers remain high for Korean films and for other Asian films and those from outside the United States and Europe, while noting the Academy's efforts to become more inclusive.
"I still need to do my best," he said, adding that he had to keep open the chance of recognition for the actors and crew who gave their all.
"Possible Love" stars Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong, and explores love and economic disparity through the lives of a laid-off worker, his spouse, a documentary maker and her wealthy husband.
The film premiered in a limited run at South Korean theaters in September and is set to roll out on Netflix later on Friday, Yonhap reported.
Lee said screen size had never been important in his filmmaking and that he looked forward to how global audiences would respond to a story he called very Korean but universal.
He urged viewers not to pause, skip or fast-forward through the film, saying it should be watched in one's own time.
Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite" became the first Korean film to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, at the 2020 ceremony.
