‘Parasite’ Studio’s Pingyao Double Winner ‘The World of Love’ Locks Major Asian Distribution Deals (EXCLUSIVE)
Korean film “The World of Love” has secured distribution deals across three key Asian territories following its double win at the ninth Pingyao International Film Festival in China.
The film, which world premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, took home both the Roberto Rossellini Awards Jury Prize and the People’s Choice Award in the festival’s Crouching Tigers section.
Veteran Japanese distributor Bitters End has acquired rights for Japan, while Hong Kong’s Edko Films and Taiwan’s Andrews Film have picked up their respective territories.
The film is directed by Yoon Ga-eun, acclaimed for her previous works “The World of Us” (Berlinale 2016) and “The House of Us” (BFI London 2019). The drama centers on 17-year-old Lee Jooin (Seo Su-bin), an unpredictable high school student whose angry outburst creates ripple effects throughout her world.
The film is produced by Barunson E&A, the South Korean studio behind Oscar-winning “Parasite” and Kim Jee-woon’s Cannes title “Cobweb.”
“We are incredibly excited to be able to distribute the talented director Yoon Ga-eun’s new film ‘The World of Love’ in Japan,” said Yuji Sadai, president of Bitters End. “The film’s masterful approach to the theme is brilliant. We believe this film has a universal appeal to the audience.”
“Congratulations on this achievement. I am thrilled to witness the success of ‘The World of Love’ with its remarkable reception in China, and I sincerely hope this will be a stepping stone for many more great Korean films to be introduced to Chinese audiences,” Pingyao festival founder Jia Zhang-ke said about the film’s wins at the festival.
Director Yoon Ga-eun added: “I am truly honored to have met such enthusiastic audiences in this beautiful city, which I might never have experienced if I hadn’t directed the film. I consider these awards as encouragement to continue directing with passion.”
Bitters End brings more than 30 years of distribution experience, with a roster that includes Hamaguchi Ryusuke’s “Drive My Car,” Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite,” and films by the Dardenne brothers, Jia Zhangke, Hong Sang-soo and Edward Yang.
Edko Films, operating for over 70 years in Hong Kong and running the Broadway cinema chain, has distributed titles ranging from “Parasite” and Kore-eda Hirokazu’s “Monster” to Park Chan-wook’s “Oldboy” and Yeon Sang-ho’s “Train to Busan.” The company previously collaborated with Barunson E&A on Kim Jee-woon’s “Cobweb.”
Taiwan’s Andrews Film, founded in 2014, launched with Pawel Pawlikowski’s Oscar-winning “Ida” and has since released Céline Sciamma’s “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” Hamaguchi’s “Drive My Car,” Charlotte Wells’ “Aftersun” and Pablo Berger’s “Robot Dreams.”
“The World of Love” will have its European premiere at the Warsaw Film Festival on Oct. 11, with the director in attendance, followed by its U.K. premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on Oct. 14.
