Director Hong Sang-soo, actor Kim Min-hee win awards at Locarno film fest

Director Hong Sang-soo and actress Kim Min-hee each took home prestigious awards at the 79th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland on Saturday. Hong received the Pardo for Best Direction for his latest film, Nowhere to Lay My Eyes, while Kim was awarded the Pardo for Best Performance for her role in the same film. The ceremony took place during the festival’s Concorso Internazionale section, which features internationally recognized films vying for top honors. Both winners were present at a post-award photocall, where they posed together with their respective trophies. Nowhere to Lay My Eyes marks Hong’s 35th feature film and centers on Sang-hee, played by Kim, who journeys to Jeju Island to reunite with her mother after a decade-long separation. The film had its world premiere earlier in the week and is competing for the festival’s coveted Golden Leopard prize. This is Hong’s fifth appearance at Locarno, having previously screened works such as Our Sunhi (2013), Right Now, Wrong Then (2015), Hotel by the River (2018), and By the Stream (2024). Kim had already earned a Pardo for Best Performance at Locarno for her role in By the Stream in 2024. In addition to winning awards, Kim made her first public appearance since giving birth to her child with Hong in April 2025. She attended a Q&A session for Nowhere to Lay My Eyes on Thursday, where she spoke about balancing her new role as a mother with her career. During the event, she and Hong fielded questions from both the audience and press, offering insights into the production process and themes explored in the film. Kim shared how she managed to continue working while caring for her newborn on set, highlighting the challenges and rewards of returning to the film industry after childbirth. The film, which also stars Choi Myung-gil and Kwon Hae-hyo, explores themes of family, memory, and personal transformation. It is part of a broader trend in Asian cinema that increasingly focuses on intimate, character-driven narratives. The Locarno Film Festival, known for showcasing innovative and artistically ambitious films, has become a key platform for Hong’s work over the past decade. His films often blend subtle humor with existential musings, and Nowhere to Lay My Eyes continues this tradition with its focus on emotional depth and personal history. Hong and Kim’s collaboration dates back to 2015 when they worked together on Right Now, Wrong Then. They publicly confirmed their relationship in 2017, despite a notable age difference, Hong, born in 1960, is 22 years older than Kim. Their partnership has drawn attention not only for their professional synergy but also for the personal dynamics surrounding their relationship. Hong was previously married and divorced in 2016, though the legal proceedings were delayed due to complications with his ex-wife. The film festival runs through August 15, with Nowhere to Lay My Eyes scheduled to compete for the Golden Leopard, the highest honor at Locarno. The festival’s international competition section includes entries from around the globe, and the selection of Hong’s latest work underscores his continued relevance in global cinema. As the festival progresses, further awards and critical responses will provide insight into how Nowwhere to Lay My Eyes is being received by audiences and critics alike. Kim’s return to the screen following motherhood signals a potential shift in her career trajectory, as well as a broader conversation about the challenges faced by female artists in balancing creative pursuits with personal life. Her performance in the film has already garnered praise, with some observers noting the emotional nuance she brings to the role of Sang-hee. With the festival still ongoing, more screenings and discussions are expected to take place, offering deeper exploration of the film’s themes and its place within Hong’s evolving body of work.