One of the more anticipated films of the 2013 London Korean Film Festival was Lee Joon-ik’s Hope, a harrowing family drama examining the long-term effects caused by the traumatic sexual assault on a young girl by a construction worker near her school. It’s a powerful film which one won’t watch for pleasure, or indeed watch … [Read More]
Title: Hope
Lee Joon-ik interview: Hope, humanity and the weight of filmmaking
Director Lee Joon-ik explains why Hope/소원 drew him back to filmmaking, outlining its aims to address crimes against children, strengthen legal punishment, and highlight victim support. He discusses reshaping the script, working sensitively with child actor Lee Re, and portraying trauma through shared family and community perspectives. [Read More]
Hope (aka Wish) (소원, 2013) review: finding humanity and healing in the aftermath of unthinkable trauma
A devastating yet profoundly humane drama, Hope focuses on a young girl’s journey towards physical and emotional recovery after unimaginable trauma. Director Lee Joon-ik balances heartbreak with compassion, crafting a deeply moving film anchored by an astonishing, career-defining performance from child actress Lee Re. [Read More]