Na Hong-jin’s Cannes Competition Film ‘Hope’ Lands NEON for North American Release

Na Hong-jin’s new film “Hope” (HOPE), invited to compete at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, has secured a North American release through a partnership with U.S. distributor NEON.

Founded in 2017, NEON has handled North American distribution for high-profile international titles, including multiple Palme d’Or winners at Cannes and an Academy Award best picture winner.

NEON has brought a run of Cannes Palme d’Or winners to North American audiences since 2019, including Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite,” “Titane,” “Triangle of Sadness,” “Anatomy of a Fall,” “Anora” and “It Was Just an Accident.” With the new deal, NEON is set to present six films at the 79th Cannes Film Festival across competition and noncompetition sections, including “Hope,” “Sheep in a Box” and “Suddenly Worsening Condition.” NEON also recently handled North American distribution for Park Chan-wook’s “No Choice,” continuing its role in expanding the global reach of Korean cinema.

In a statement on taking North American distribution rights for “Hope,” NEON said it was “very pleased” to partner with the “one and only” Na, along with Forged Films and Plus M Entertainment, to bring the film to audiences worldwide, adding, “Please look forward to it.”

“Hope” begins at a police outpost in Hopohang, near the Demilitarized Zone, where chief Beomseok hears from local young men that a tiger has appeared, putting the village on alert as he confronts an unbelievable reality. The film is Na’s first in 10 years since “The Wailing.” It is set to premiere as a world premiere at Cannes in May and is scheduled to reach theaters this summer.