Lee Chang-dong is set to make history as the first Korean director to receive the prestigious Ebert Director Award at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Tribute Awards.
Netflix announced on Thursday that Lee will be honored with the TIFF Ebert Director Award by The Tory Family at the 51st TIFF Tribute Awards, scheduled for September 13 in Toronto, Canada.
This esteemed accolade, established in memory of renowned American film critic Roger Ebert, recognizes directors who have revolutionized the film industry with their unique vision. The award’s illustrious roster of past recipients includes cinematic luminaries such as Guillermo del Toro, Mike Leigh, Spike Lee, Sam Mendes, Denis Villeneuve, and Chloé Zhao.
Adding to the excitement, Lee’s latest work, Possible Love, has secured an official invitation to the special presentation section of this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. The film weaves a compelling narrative around two couples – a laid-off worker and his wife, alongside a documentary filmmaker and her husband – as they embark on a documentary project that leads them to confront their divergent lives and hidden desires. The star-studded cast features Jeon Do Yeon, Seol Kyung Gu, Jo In Sung, and Jo Yeo Jeong.
Possible Love marks Lee’s triumphant return to feature filmmaking after an eight-year hiatus following Burning. The film has also earned a coveted spot in the competition section of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. Following its domestic premiere on September 23, the film will reach a global audience via Netflix on November 6.
Lee’s impressive filmography includes critically acclaimed works such as Green Fish, Peppermint Candy, Oasis, Secret Sunshine, Poetry, and Burning. His directorial prowess has been recognized internationally, with Oasis clinching the Best Director award at the 2002 Venice International Film Festival and Poetry securing the Best Screenplay award at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival. Burning further cemented his status as a world-class filmmaker, earning the prestigious FIPRESCI Prize at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.