Director Yeon Sang-ho, who garnered attention earlier this year with his film 'Goonche', which was invited to the Midnight Screenings at the Cannes Film Festival, is returning to theaters this fall with the psychological thriller 'Paradise Lost', which delves into the complexities of the human psyche.
On October 12, a press screening and media conference for 'Paradise Lost' was held at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Seoul, attended by director Yeon Sang-ho and lead actors Kim Hyun-joo and Bae Hyun-sung.
The film 'Paradise Lost' begins with the story of Ryu So-young (played by Kim Hyun-joo), a mother who lost her son in a camping school bus disappearance nine years ago. The plot thickens when her son, Ryu Sun-woo (played by Bae Hyun-sung), whom she believed to be dead, miraculously returns.
During the event, director Yeon revealed the unique inspiration behind the film. He reassured his mother, who worried about writing during the holidays, by saying, "If you know Hangul, you can write your own story." This led to the development of the script from one of three pieces she wrote.
Yeon expressed his curiosity about the strange psychology depicted in the three pages of writing, which explored the mind of a wicked son and his deeply loving mother, emphasizing his desire to delve into the depths of human nature.
The film also poses profound questions about 'humanity' in the age of AI, aligning with the themes of John Milton's epic of the same name. Yeon stated, "In the AI world, there is no contemplation, but humans experience various emotions like pain and joy through reflection. I aimed to portray the unfathomable space of human contemplation, akin to a black hole in the universe."
Kim Hyun-joo, who has consistently collaborated with Yeon, plays the role of Ryu So-young, a mother shaken by the loss of her son, anchoring the film's emotional core. She noted that the film was shot in just 14 days with a production budget of approximately 500 million won, stating, "If the shooting period had been longer, it would have taken a mental toll. The short timeframe allowed us to focus intensely and complete the filming." She added that in a situation where her son, whom she had not seen for nine years, felt like a stranger, she focused on expressing genuine emotions.
Bae Hyun-sung, taking on his first leading role, portrays the unfamiliar son Ryu Sun-woo, showcasing a chilling transformation. He mentioned, "Instead of expressing through dialogue, I focused on creating a cold and strange atmosphere with my gaze and actions to capture my mother's attention." He intentionally slowed his movements to draw her focus and paid great attention to his appearance, adopting a rough hairstyle and freckles to fit the character's backstory of having lived outside for a long time.
To authentically portray the awkward mother-son relationship, both actors maintained physical and emotional distance during filming. Kim recalled, "We had to finish shooting in a month, so we needed time to concentrate on our characters. We actually became closer after filming ended." Yeon also created an environment for the actors to focus on their characters by starting filming without prior meetings or rehearsals.
Following the success of his previous low-budget film 'Face', which was made for 200 million won, Yeon expressed his affection for this second low-budget project, stating, "This film was made like a club activity with close cinematic friends." The film also features narration by actress Shin Hyun-bin and a surprise cameo by Koo Kyo-hwan, who personally managed his costume for a brief extra role, showcasing strong support from colleagues.
In conclusion, Yeon Sang-ho remarked, "This film allows audiences to witness Bae Hyun-sung's new face and Kim Hyun-joo's acting prowess. The ultimate entertainment of cinema begins the moment it ends, sparking new conversations among viewers, and I believe 'Paradise Lost' can be that kind of film."
Meanwhile, 'Paradise Lost' has already gained recognition for its artistic merit and buzz, having been invited to the Special Presentation section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival and the Gala Presentation section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival. The film is set to be released in theaters nationwide on October 21.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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