Park Chan-wook & Lee Byung-hun's 'The Moon' Captivates Toronto, Earns Standing Ovation

Director Park Chan-wook and actor Lee Byung-hun graced the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) with their commanding presence. Their latest film, tentatively titled 'The Moon', premiered on September 9th (local time) as part of the prestigious Gala Presentations, eliciting a thunderous standing ovation from the audience.

Already lauded at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival and opening the 30th Busan International Film Festival, 'The Moon' resonated deeply with TIFF attendees. The post-screening Q&A session was met with overwhelming applause, a testament to the film's profound impact and engaging narrative.

Director Park expressed his gratitude for the audience's connection to the story, stating, "I initially thought some scenes might be challenging for first-time viewers, but they laughed and cried at all the right moments. I felt incredibly proud and thankful." Lee Byung-hun echoed this sentiment, sharing, "The overwhelming reaction within the theater deeply moved me. I was amazed by the audience's thoughtful and detailed feedback."

Both artists also lauded each other's contributions. Park recalled their earlier collaboration on 'Joint Security Area', noting Lee's remarkable acting and humor even then. He added, "Now, as a father, he's able to bring an even greater depth to the character of Mansoo." Lee, in turn, praised Park's meticulous directorial vision, commenting, "Park never misses a thing. He arrives on set with a fully realized version of the film already in his mind."

Further insights into Park's celebrated career and the intricacies of 'The Moon' were shared at a special 'In Conversation With' event hosted at the TIFF Bell Lightbox on September 10th. The film, a powerful blend of stellar performances, sharp black comedy, and Park's masterful storytelling, is set to release in Korea on September 24th.

Lee Byung-hun made history in 2002 by becoming the first Korean actor to win an MTV Movie Award for Best Male Performance for 'A Bittersweet Life.' In 2009, he secured the Best Actor award at the Asia Film Awards for 'The Good, the Bad, the Weird.' In 2024, he starred in 'The Holiday,' which won the Palme d'Or at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. His extensive filmography includes critically acclaimed works such as 'I Saw the Devil,' 'Inside Men,' 'Masquerade,' 'Terminator Genisys,' 'Misconduct,' 'The Magnificent Seven,' 'Squid Game,' and 'Kingdom.'