Hong, famous for his mostly improvised micro-budget films, will join eight other filmmakers including Italy's most sought-after actress Alba Rohrwacher, American actress Halle Berry and Indian director and screenwriter Payal Kapadia.
Together, the jury, led by French actress Juliette Binoche, will evaluate and "have the honor of awarding the Palme d'or to one of the 21 films" included in this year's competitive sections.
Hong becomes the sixth South Korean to get the honor, following veteran filmmakers Shin Sang-ok, Lee Chang-dong, and Park Chan-wook, as well as award-winning actress Jeon Do-yeon and actor Song Kang-ho.
The festival often selects its jury members among award-winning actors or acclaimed directors.
The festival's organizers praised Hong as a "prolific filmmaker who has won numerous international awards," adding that he has been a "staple" of the festival for many years.
Four of Hong's films have previously competed for the coveted prize: "Woman is the Future of Man" (2004), "Tale of Cinema" (2005), "In Another Country" (2012), and "The Day After" (2017).
With no South Korean feature invited to compete at this year's festival, which runs from May 13 to 24, two shorts films will be screened in the festival.
Up-and-coming director Joung Yu-mi's animated short "Glasses" will compete in the International Critics' Week section, which recognizes innovative works by emerging filmmakers, while Heo Ga-young's "First Summer" has been invited to the La Cinef section, which showcases films from film schools around the world.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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