Co-written by Bong and Jon Ronson of “Frank,” Okja tells the story of a young girl who risks everything to prevent a multinational company from kidnapping her best friend — a massive animal named Okja. (image: YouTube capture)
SEOUL, May 16 (Korea Bizwire) – “Okja,” South Korean director Bong Joon-ho’s follow-up to smash-hit “Snowpiercer,” will be released in Korean theaters on June 29 for an open run, its American investor and local distributor said on Monday.
“Okja will be available on Netflix in 190 countries on June 28 in the U.S., but actually June 29 here, but will be released in the same moment everywhere in the world. We’re very proud to partner with NEW to also give Korean viewers such opportunity to see the film in theaters at the same time,” Ted Sarandos, Netflix chief content officer, said during a news conference to promote the film at a Seoul hotel.
The U.S. streaming service, which invested US$50 million in the film, previously announced that it has selected Next Entertainment World as the movie’s South Korean distributor and has confirmed the June release in Korean theaters, but stopped short of offering a specific date.
According to Kim Woo-taek, chief executive of NEW, the movie will play an open run in domestic theaters.
“We reached this conclusion after many discussions to distribute Okja in Korea in the most efficient way,” he said during the same event.
Co-written by Bong and Jon Ronson of “Frank,” Okja tells the story of a young girl who risks everything to prevent a multinational company from kidnapping her best friend — a massive animal named Okja.
The sci-fi film was produced by three Hollywood studios — Plan B, Lewis Pictures and Kate Street Picture Company — and stars Tilda Swinton, Jake Gyllenhaal of “Nightcrawler” and “Everest,” and Paul Dano of “Love & Mercy” and “12 Years a Slave.” The cast also includes Korean actors such as An Seo-hyun, Byun Hee-bong, Choi Woo-shik and Yoon Je-moon.
(Yonhap)
