Lee Chang-dong wins Silver Lion at Venice after 24-year absence

"I made this film to ask what cinema can do — and what it must do — in an age when the bonds between people are breaking apart. I will take this award as an encouragement to keep asking that question." — Director Lee Chang-dong

Director Lee Chang-dong lifted the Silver Lion trophy at Venice for the first time in 24 years with his new film "Possible Love." The film was named the Grand Jury Prize (Silver Lion) winner at the closing ceremony of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, held Saturday evening (local time) at the Sala Grande on the Lido island.

It marks the first time a Korean film has won a competitive award at Venice since Kim Ki-duk's "Pieta" in 2012 — a 14-year gap. Lee last competed at Venice in 2002, when he won the Silver Lion for Best Director for "Oasis," making this his second Silver Lion from the festival.

When jury president Maggie Gyllenhaal called out "Possible Love" at the closing ceremony, Lee shared a moment of joy with his crew before walking calmly to the podium. He paused to take in the audience with a look of mixed emotions, then opened his remarks by thanking the Venice Film Festival "for inviting me back to this beautiful celebration after 24 years."

He then recalled the long road the film had traveled. "This film would never have come into the world without the waiting and endurance of so many people," he said, adding with a touch of humor: "I want to apologize to producer Lee Jun-dong, who had to drink every day just to get through the wait."

As Lee suggested, the path to Venice was far from easy. Even as a dark outlook hung over the Korean film industry's prospects for recovery, the director held on to the project, driven by the conviction that films still needed to be made. The producer, for his part, could do little but pour himself another drink and wait.

At one point, plans for a theatrical release collapsed entirely, and it was only when Lee accepted Netflix's offer that the film finally found its way to the world. From the podium, Lee expressed his gratitude to the streamer. "I am also thankful to Netflix for believing in this film and making it possible," he said.

He also thanked screenwriter Oh Jung-mi "for turning a story I had long set aside into something new together with me," and extended his appreciation to "the actors and crew who gave everything of themselves on set."

"Possible Love" is Lee's first film in eight years since "Burning" (2018). It follows two couples — a laid-off worker and his wife, and a documentary filmmaker and her husband — whose lives intersect as hidden desires surface. The film stars Jeon Do-yeon, reuniting with Lee for the first time since "Miryang" (2007); Sul Kyung-gu, working with the director for a third time after "Peppermint Candy" (2000) and "Oasis"; along with Jo Yeo-jeong and Jo In-sung.

"Possible Love" had its world premiere at Venice on Monday to a seven-minute standing ovation. The questions and messages Lee wove into the film — about the erosion of labor's value and the normalization of disconnection — captivated Venice critics from the moment of its premiere, and the film quickly emerged as a leading contender for the festival's top prize, the Golden Lion.

Following that first screening, Variety wrote that Lee "returns with a beautifully mature, quietly monumental drama," while Screen Daily said the film "announces an intense Venice comeback for Lee Chang-dong, offering another unsettling and enigmatic exploration of class and desire in the vein of 'Burning.'"

Anticipation for the Golden Lion grew further when the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) named "Possible Love" the winner of its prize in the main competition section, just ahead of the closing ceremony. The jury praised the film as a work that "explores exploitation and class, disillusionment, love and desire, as well as the ethics of owning and conveying a story."

The Golden Lion ultimately went to "Woman Unknown," directed by Mai El-Toukhy. Set in Denmark just after World War II, it tells the story of a woman named Marie who tries to build a new life while concealing a past relationship with a German soldier.

Having been widely tipped as a frontrunner, Lee might have been forgiven for feeling some disappointment — but after stepping down from the podium, he spoke with evident satisfaction and joy.

In remarks shared through Netflix, he said: "Some people may be disappointed that it wasn't the Golden Lion, but I think this is enough for me. More than the award itself, the experience of premiering the film at Venice and meeting the audience for the first time — the emotions that passed between us in their faces and reactions — meant more to me and gave me greater strength."

Lee also expressed gratitude to the actors who committed themselves to his vision, while noting with some regret that he could not share the moment of victory with them in person — they were already in Toronto for the next festival engagement. From the podium, he dedicated the award to them, saying, "This prize belongs to all of you."

"The actors watched the ceremony on video from Toronto and reached out to share their joy," Lee said. "Many people have praised the ensemble the actors delivered in this film."

"Possible Love" moves next to the 51st Toronto International Film Festival, which opened Thursday, where it will screen in the Special Presentations section Monday. Lee had earlier been named the first Korean director to receive the TIFF Ebert Director Award at this year's festival — a prize the festival gives to a director who has demonstrated singular vision and cinematic innovation.

The film will open in select domestic theaters Sept. 23 for a limited run before streaming worldwide on Netflix in November. It has also been selected as South Korea's submission for the Best International Feature Film category at next year's Academy Awards.

Closing out his Venice journey on a triumphant note, Lee said he sees the festival not as a destination but as the beginning of a longer road ahead. "This is the first time I've met an audience here, and I see this as just the start," he said. "I'm very much looking forward to meeting more audiences, to seeing how much we can communicate through this film, and to sharing and connecting over what the film is trying to say."

"Whenever I make a film, I hope it will be meaningful — to myself, to the audience, and as a work of cinema in its own right," he added. "I hope this film will reach the audience in a meaningful way. This award feels like it gives me the strength and encouragement to believe that it will."