“Project Y,” starring Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo, has won the Best Film in Competition at the 10th London East Asia Film Festival (LEAFF).
“Project Y” tells the story of Miseon and Dokyung, two women who have nothing but each other, as they attempt to escape their bleak reality by stealing hidden cash and gold bars—setting off a tense and unpredictable chain of events.
The London East Asia Film Festival, which began on October 23, is one of Europe’s most prominent showcases of Asian cinema, introducing creative and daring works from across the continent. This year, 45 films were screened, with “Project Y” among only eight titles selected for the competition section—alongside Seo Gi’s “Girl” and Ha Jung-woo’s “The Neighbors Upstairs.” The film ultimately claimed the top prize.
The festival jury praised the film as “a bold expansion of the contemporary neo-noir genre that dismantles traditional conventions with masterful direction, opening new possibilities for Asian cinema.”
Director Lee Hwan, who attended the screening in London, said, “After Toronto, Busan, and Hawaii, it’s an honor to have the film shown and awarded here as well. I hope more audiences will meet ‘Project Y’ in theaters and complete it through their own perspectives.”
Having already drawn global attention through its selection at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), “Project Y” once again proved its cinematic excellence by earning the highest award at LEAFF. Featuring a powerhouse cast—Han So-hee, Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Shin-rok, Jung Young-joo, Lee Jae-kyun, Yoo Ah, and Kim Sung-cheol—the film delivers gripping performances, a tightly woven plot, and suffocating tension that heighten anticipation among domestic moviegoers.
“Project Y” will soon open in theaters across Korea.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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