Seoul-based sales company Finecut announced new territory agreements for Hong Sangsoo's triple-prize winner at the 79th Locarno Film Festival, "Nowhere to Lay My Eyes," and Kim Jin-yu's Korean debut starring "Beef" actor Justin H. Min, "Journey There."
For "Nowhere to Lay My Eyes," Carlotta Films will handle France, Mimosa Films Japan, Kligger Argentina and The Stone and the Plot Portugal. These contracts join earlier sales to The Cinema Guild (North America), Filmgarten (Austria), Hugoeast (China), Atalante (Spain), Cola Films (Taiwan) and the Institute of Contemporary Arts (U.K.).
The Hong Sangsoo picture, his 35th feature, collected best direction, best performance and the Ecumenical Jury Prize at Locarno. It reunites regular collaborators Kim Minhee and Kwon Haehyo and introduces Choi Myeonggil, known for the TV series "Durian's Affair." Production was overseen by Jeonwonsa Film Co.
"Journey There" secured sales to Andrews Film (Taiwan), KDDI Corporation (Japan), Lev Cinema (Israel) and Izagur Media (Mongolia), while Kairos Distribution obtained inflight rights. The drama follows a middle-aged widow preparing for her own journey and encountering unexpected relationships in a new apartment.
Justin H. Min's recent credits include Kogonada's "After Yang," the Netflix series "Beef" and "The Umbrella Academy." The film marks the second feature from director Kim Jin-yu, whose debut "Bori" won two awards at the 24th Schlingel International Film Festival; Kim's company Pado produced the picture.
"Journey There" opened in Korea on Oct. 28 and has been invited to the Moscow International Film Festival, the New York Asian Film Festival and, most recently, the Paris and London Korean film festivals.
After showcasing at Busan's Asian Contents & Film Market, Finecut will attend AFM with a slate that includes the animated "Long Long Night," which will be screened in its English-dubbed version for the first time. The film also holds invitations from Toronto, Busan and Sitges.
Other titles on Finecut's offer list are "Dora," selected for Cannes' Directors' Fortnight and Busan's Gala Presentation, and "Wi-Fi Love in the Palace," a period fantasy romance starring Kim Young-hoon of K-pop group The Boyz.
