Hong Sang-soo just won big at Locarno. He's been winning for 30 years now

Hong Sang-soo, the celebrated South Korean filmmaker, has once again captured the attention of the international cinematic world by securing the Best Direction award at the 79th Locarno Film Festival for his film Nowhere to Lay My Eyes. This marks his fifth appearance at the Swiss festival, where he has previously received accolades including the Golden Leopard for Right Now, Wrong Then in 2015 and the Best Director title for Our Sunhi in 2013. His 35th feature film, Nowhere to Lay My Eyes, also saw his long-time collaborator and actress Kim Min-hee win the Best Performance award alongside Italian actor Monica Bellucci. Hong’s career has spanned over three decades, during which he has consistently produced films that reflect his unique artistic vision. Known for his introspective narratives and minimalist storytelling, Hong has built a reputation as one of the most reliably acclaimed filmmakers in global art cinema. His work often explores themes of memory, identity, and human relationships, frequently centered around characters who navigate personal and emotional landscapes with quiet intensity. Born in Seoul to parents who operated a production company, Hong initially pursued theater studies at Chung-Ang University before moving to the United States to further his film education. He graduated from the California College of Arts and Crafts and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. At the age of 36, he made his directorial debut with The Day a Pig Fell Into the Well (1996), which premiered at the Rotterdam International Film Festival and received critical acclaim. The film, set in mid-1990s Seoul, features four loosely connected characters and is regarded as one of the standout directorial debuts in Korean cinema. Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Hong gained international recognition with films such as The Power of Kangwon Province (1998) and Virgin Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors (2000), both of which screened at Cannes' Un Certain Regard section. His breakthrough into the main competition came with Woman Is the Future of Man (2004), starring Yoo Ji-tae and Kim Tae-woo. In 2010, he won the Un Certain Regard prize for Hahaha, solidifying his status as a key figure in contemporary independent filmmaking. Hong’s distinctive style is characterized by its focus on dialogue-driven scenes, often featuring artists and urban intellectuals engaged in deeply personal conversations. His films are typically shot with minimal sets and limited locations, emphasizing the psychological depth of his characters. He is also known for his rapid production schedule, often releasing one or two films per year through his production company, Jeonwonsa Film. His approach includes writing scripts on the spot, drafting scenes daily rather than relying on fully developed screenplays. His collaboration with Kim Min-hee, who has appeared in nearly all of his films, has become a defining aspect of his oeuvre. Their partnership began after they met while working on Right Now, Wrong Then (2015), which earned him the Golden Leopard. They later became romantically involved, and Kim gave birth to their son in 2024. Kim’s performances in Hong’s films, including her role in By the Stream (2024), have consistently garnered praise and awards. In recent years, Hong has maintained a steady presence at major festivals, particularly the Berlin International Film Festival, where his films have been featured for seven consecutive years. His works such as The Woman Who Ran (2020) and Introduction (2021) have received notable honors, including the Silver Bear for Best Director and the Best Screenplay award. More recently, The Novelist's Film (2022) and A Traveler's Needs (2024) each secured the Grand Jury Prize. His latest entries include What Does That Nature Say to You, which competed for the Golden Bear, and The Day She Returns, which premiered in the Panorama section earlier this year. At home, Hong’s films tend to be more modest in scope, reflecting the cultural and social nuances of South Korea. Despite this, his international profile continues to grow, with his work regularly showcased at prestigious film festivals worldwide.