Park Chan-wook to Lead Jury of 79th Cannes International Film Festival

The organizers of the 79th Cannes International Film Festival have announced that Park Chan-wook will lead the work of the Main Competition jury. This decision is widely commented on in the film industry as proof of the undiminished strength of South Korean cinema, which has been celebrating triumphs on the international stage in recent years. Park Chan-wook will succeed Greta Gerwig, who presided over the jury in 2024, and the president from 2025. This choice fits into the tradition of honoring the most outstanding visionaries of contemporary cinema, who are able to combine auteur expression with broad public acclaim. Park Chan-wook has been strongly associated with Cannes for years. His breakthrough film 'Oldboy' won the Grand Prix in 2004, becoming a milestone for the global popularity of Asian revenge cinema. In subsequent years, the director returned to the Croisette with works such as 'Thirst' (Jury Prize in 2009) and 'The Handmaiden'. In 2022, he received the Best Director award for 'Decision to Leave'. As president of the panel deciding on the awarding of the Golden Palm, Park will have a real influence on shaping new trends in auteur cinematography. The Cannes International Film Festival was born in 1946 as a response to the politicized festival in Venice. Over the decades, it has become the most important meeting place for world cinema, celebrating both major productions and niche artistic experiments. The selection of the first-ever South Korean president is a symbolic culmination of the long-standing presence of creators from that country on the French Riviera. It is worth mentioning, for example, the historic success of 'Parasite' directed by Bong Joon-ho, which, after winning the Golden Palm, went on to win Oscars. Park Chan-wook, known for his attention to visual style and genre deconstruction, will bring his unique aesthetic perspective to the jury deliberations. The full jury lineup, which under his leadership will assess productions competing for the trophies of the 79th edition, will be revealed in the coming weeks preceding the May inauguration of the event.