As the Cannes Film Festival opens this week, South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook said the world’s premier film competition should prioritize cinematic works capable of enduring for generations rather than rewarding films shaped primarily by contemporary political or cultural currents.
Mr. Park, serving this year as the first South Korean jury president in Cannes history, said award-winning films should be chosen based on whether they can retain artistic relevance 50 or even 100 years into the future.
His remarks underscore a judging philosophy centered on artistic permanence at a time when global film festivals increasingly face pressure to reflect social, political and ideological debates.
Mr. Park argued that films should be assessed strictly on artistic merit rather than external considerations such as nationality, genre or political messaging.
While filmmakers should remain free to explore political themes, he said, such subject matter alone should neither advantage nor disadvantage a film in competition.
For Mr. Park, the jury’s responsibility is not simply to reward works that resonate with present-day discourse, but to identify films that may ultimately shape cinematic history.
The comments come as international film festivals have become increasingly scrutinized for how awards align with broader cultural movements, diversity debates and geopolitical narratives.
Mr. Park’s position signals a more traditional auteur-driven view of cinema, emphasizing craftsmanship, originality and enduring creative achievement over short-term relevance.
His appointment itself marks a symbolic milestone for South Korean cinema, which has transformed over the past two decades from a regional industry into one of the world’s most influential creative forces.
South Korea’s rise in global film has been fueled by directors such as Mr. Park, Bong Joon Ho and Kim Ki-duk, alongside international commercial and critical success for Korean films and television.
Mr. Park acknowledged the historical significance of becoming the first Korean to preside over the Cannes jury, describing the moment as emotionally meaningful given the decades during which Korean filmmakers often lacked global recognition despite artistic accomplishment.
At the same time, he emphasized that national pride would not affect his role, pledging to judge entries with maximum fairness and objectivity.
Beyond the festival, Mr. Park is also expanding his creative presence in Europe through photography.
In July, he is scheduled to open his first solo European photography exhibition in Arles, France, where he will present works ranging from film-set imagery to scenes of everyday life in South Korea.
Mr. Park has described photography as a creative counterbalance to filmmaking, offering a freer artistic medium compared with the highly controlled nature of directing.
Together, his Cannes leadership and expanding visual-art profile reflect the growing global stature not only of Mr. Park himself, but of South Korea’s broader cultural influence.
For Cannes, his presidency may also signal a renewed emphasis on evaluating cinema not merely through the lens of current events, but through the longer arc of artistic legacy.
