Lee Chang-dong received a major welcome back at the Venice Film Festival, where his new romantic drama “Possible Love” was met with a six-minute standing ovation.
The moment marked the acclaimed South Korean director’s return to the festival after 24 years, adding significance to an already emotional reception. According to the source material, the cast sobbed as the audience embraced the film, underscoring the intensity of the response inside the room.
“Possible Love” is directed by Lee and co-written by Oh Jung-mi. The film centers on the intertwined lives of two married couples whose paths cross after a funeral, setting up a drama built around connection, grief and the complications that follow when private lives unexpectedly overlap.
The Venice response gives the film a high-profile festival launch for Lee, whose return after more than two decades was itself a notable moment. While the source material does not provide additional details about release plans, awards positioning or the film’s cast, the six-minute ovation confirms that “Possible Love” made a strong impression with its first major festival audience.
For now, the headline out of Venice is clear: Lee Chang-dong is back at the festival after 24 years, and “Possible Love” has arrived to a deeply emotional reception.