Netflix is expanding the international streaming footprint for Lee Chang-dong’s films following a major Venice win for the director’s latest feature, Possible Love.
After Possible Love received the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Venice film festival, the streamer is set to make more of Lee’s work available worldwide, with several titles already live in selected territories and others planned for release across additional markets.
A wider Netflix rollout for Lee Chang-dong’s films
Two of Lee’s earlier films, Green Fish and Secret Sunshine, are already available on Netflix. They began streaming in August in Italy, the UK, France, Australia and New Zealand.
The rollout continued on September 4, when Peppermint Candy and Oasis started streaming on Netflix in Italy and Spain.
Additional titles are also on the way. Poetry and Burning are planned for release in markets including Japan, the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Availability and timing will vary by country. Depending on the market, the films will be offered with subtitles in up to six languages, including Korean.
The expanded availability gives Netflix viewers in multiple territories a broader path into Lee’s filmography at a moment when attention around the director has intensified because of Possible Love and its Venice recognition.
Possible Love heads from theaters to Netflix
Possible Love marks Lee’s first film in eight years. Following its Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize win in Venice, the film is set for a staggered theatrical release before its streaming debut.
The film opens in South Korean theaters on September 23. It will then arrive in Australia and New Zealand on October 22, followed by the UK, Japan, the U.S. and Canada on October 23. Netflix will premiere the film globally on November 6.
Possible Love has also been selected as Korea’s official entry for the Best International Feature category of the Academy Awards.
The film stars Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong. Its story follows two couples — a laid-off worker and his spouse, and a documentary filmmaker and her spouse — whose paths cross as they film a documentary, confronting their different lives and hidden desires.
Lee’s awards history adds context to the moment
Lee made his feature debut with Green Fish in 1997. Since then, his films have received significant festival recognition, including Best Director at the 59th Venice International Film Festival for Oasis in 2002 and Best Screenplay at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival for Poetry in 2010.
Most recently, Lee became the first Korean director to win the Ebert Director Award at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival.
With Possible Love moving from Venice honors to theatrical dates and then a global Netflix premiere, the streamer’s wider rollout of Lee’s previous work positions several of his earlier films alongside his newest release for audiences in key international markets.