Exciting news for cinema enthusiasts awaits as Kim Jee-woon’s black comedy, “Cobweb,” is slated for a U.S. theatrical release in early 2024. The film, which made its debut at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, was acquired for distribution in the United States by Samuel Goldwyn Films through a licensing deal with Korea-based sales agent Barunson E&A.
“Cobweb,” set in the 1970s, immerses viewers in a film within a film scenario, starring Song Kang-ho, renowned for his role in the Oscar-winning “Parasite.” Song Kang-ho’s stellar performance at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival earned him the prestigious Best Actor award for his exceptional portrayal in Kore-eda Hirokazu’s “Broker.”
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In “Cobweb,” Song Kang-ho takes on the role of Kim, an obsessive film director gripped by the fervent desire to reshoot the ending of his already completed film, “Cobweb,” within a mere two days to transform it into a cinematic masterpiece. The film unfolds in an atmosphere of chaos, with challenges lurking around every corner, from his bewildered and uncooperative cast and crew to unwelcome interference from the once-all-powerful censorship authorities.
Following its highly anticipated premiere at Cannes in May, “Cobweb,” produced by Anthology Studios, is scheduled to make appearances at several prestigious fall festivals. These include the 19th Fantastic Fest, the BFI London Film Festival, and the 56th Sitges Film Festival. Meanwhile, the Korean commercial release is set to coincide with the Chuseok holiday period at the end of September.
Kim Jee-woon, known for his diverse filmography that includes notable works like “A Bittersweet Life,” the revenge thriller “I Saw The Devil” (2010), the ‘Kimchi’ western “The Good, the Bad, the Weird” (2008), the period spy action “The Age of Shadows” (2016), and the recent Apple TV+ sci-fi thriller series “Dr. Brain,” has once again captivated audiences with “Cobweb.”
The film has already made its mark on the international stage, securing distribution deals in multiple territories, including Taiwan (Movie Cloud), Japan (Happinet Phantom Studio), France (The Jokers Films, facilitated by Finecut), Germany and Italy (Plaion Pictures), Spain (La Aventura), Australia and New Zealand (Umbrella Entertainment), Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand (Clover Films), Hong Kong and Macau (Edko Films), and The Philippines (TBA Studios). Release dates for these regions may vary.
Ben Feingold, CEO of Samuel Goldwyn Films, expressed his enthusiasm for the film, stating, “[Kim Jee-woon] is a super talent, and the film, which we saw in Cannes, is fun with great performances from its all-star cast and will appeal to not only genre audiences but cinephiles.”
As “Cobweb” prepares to make its way to U.S. theaters in early 2024, audiences can look forward to a cinematic experience that promises to be both entertaining and thought-provoking, as Kim Jee-woon once again showcases his storytelling prowess.