Cinema Guild has acquired the North American distribution rights to director Hong Sang-soo’s “Nowhere to Lay My Eyes.”
The film will have its world premiere at the 79th Locarno Film Festival in August.
“Nowhere to Lay My Eyes” is the story of Sang-hee (Kim Min-hee), who visits her mother on Jeju Island with her older brother, who is 10 years apart. Her stepfather, a documentary film director, is working on a project about Grass Graves, and her mother’s restaurant has turned into a lucrative business. Sang Hee also meets his father-in-law’s daughter, who has recently started painting. Sang-hee, who works importing snacks during the day and shoots short films in her spare time, spends two days with her family, but old secrets, unsolicited advice, and empty flattery come to the surface.
The film is director Hong’s 35th feature and follows Sang-hee through a series of awkward encounters and small revelations. The film will reunite director Hong with Kim Min-hee, Kwon Hae-hyo, Shin Seok-ho, and Park Mi-so, and will mark actor Choi Myung-gil’s first appearance in the director’s work.
Peter Kelly, Chairman of the Cinema Guild, said, “There is no shortage of things to say about Director Hong, as he continues to amaze us with each new release.This is a great movie to watch, with Kim Hee-nee’s mesmerizing performance.”
The acquisition was negotiated on behalf of Cinema Guild by Kelly and Fine Cut’s Yongju Suh.
Cinema Guild’s future plans include restorations of Otar Ioseliani’s films and Hong’s The Day She Returns. Recent releases from the distribution company include Kamal Aljafari’s “With Hasan in Gaza,” Hong’s “What Does That Nature Say to You,” and Aleksandr Kobelidze’s “Dry Leaf.”
