Cannes 2018: 'Burning' Adored by Jury and Audiences

The South Korean film, "Burning," premiered at Cannes to rapturous praise.

The film is based on the short story by Haruki Murakami. It is the story of Jong-soo, a part-time deliveryman who, one day, runs into an old neighbor, Hae-mi. She is headed on a trip to Africa and asks him to watch her cat while she's away. He agrees, and when she returns from the trip, she introduces him to Ben, a mysterious man she met in Africa. One day, Ben confesses a secret hobby.

Ah-in Yoo and Jong-seo Jeon star as Jong-soo and Hae-mi. While this is her first film role, Ah-in Yoo has worked in Korean film and television for years. Korean-born actor Steven Yeun plays Ben. Yeun is best known for his role as the beloved Glenn Rhee on "The Walking Dead." He also starred in "Okja," last year, and will appear this summer in Boots Riley's "Sorry to Bother You."

Chang-dong Lee directs this film. It is his first film since 2010. He made his directorial debut with "Green Fish" in 1997.

According to the critics' scorecard, "Burning" has earned the highest score ever, besting previous record-holder "Toni Erdmann."



Here is a look at some of the reactions following the screening Wednesday night:

https://twitter.com/JustinCChang/status/996913322380419072

https://twitter.com/IndieWire/status/996903373164101637

https://twitter.com/PWellinski/status/996844404223725568

https://twitter.com/Simonsds/status/996877346937458688

https://twitter.com/THATJacqueline/status/997130929029222400

Lee Chang-dong’s Burning is superbly shot and scored - a mystery thriller of obsessive love based on a Murakami story, but with something of Patricia Highsmith or maybe a Ruth Rendell novel that Chabrol might have filmed. Review later #Cannes2018#Cannes71#Cannes

— Peter Bradshaw (@PeterBradshaw1) May 16, 2018
The film is set for release this weekend in South Korea. It is looking for international distribution.

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