Reonghee (Alien), a film by Yeon Jegwang, graduate of the Department of Filmmaking

Reonghee (Alien), the graduation work by Yeon Jaegwang, a graduate student of School of Film, TV & Multimedia, was listed in the Cinéfondation Selection at the Cannes 2019. Yeon’s work was the only one to be selected in the section among submissions from Korea this year. On one hand, actor Lee Sun Gyun and actresses Jang Hyejin and Park So-dam of School of Drama who starred in Parasite directed by Bong Joon-ho entered the Competition. With director Lee Won-tae’s The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil entry in Midnight Screening three films, a total of three films including Yeon’s and Bong’s works were selected in Cannes 2019. Among them, Parasite drew keen attention by winning Palme d’Or for the first time in Korean film history. 

On the other hand, Yeon’s Reonghee (Alien) unfolds the story of Reonghee and her roommate Hongmae who are both illegal immigrants from China. When Reonghee dies while running away from the immigrant office agents, the factory they work for is only concerned about hiding her body and covering up the mess. Hongmae, nevertheless, tries to find her body and hold a funeral for Reonghee. Yeon who wrote and directed the film said, “I wanted to portray the contradictions in the structure of Korean society which overlooks the tragedy of people who live marginal lives. Yeon’s Reonghee (Alien) did not win the award, however, his achievement contributed to informing the potential of School of Film, TV & Multimedia of the Korea National University of Arts. 

The 72^nd Cannes International Film Festival was held in Cannes, France from May 14 to 25, 2019. It is one of the three biggest film festivals in the world along with Berlin International Film Festival and Venice International Film Festival. Cinéfondation Selection is an international competition section for short and medium-length films by film schools from around the globe.