VENICE — The Venice Film Festival has a word-of-mouth sensation on its hands: 'Possible Love,' the first feature in 16 years from South Korean auteur Lee Chang-dong.
The film, which premiered to a prolonged standing ovation, follows two married couples whose friendship curdles into mutual longing. As the four characters begin to covet each other's lives — careers, partners, even routines — Lee turns their quiet entanglement into a study of exploitation and class anxiety.
Critics have been near-unanimous in praise. IndieWire called it "the latest stunner" from the 'Burning' director, while Time described it as "a delicate drama of love and longing in anxious times." The Guardian's review hailed it as "a finely judged study of exploitation and friendship."
Lee, now 72, built his reputation on precise, emotionally devastating dramas such as 'Peppermint Candy' and 'Secret Sunshine.' His return to the festival circuit after a 16-year absence was already a major event — but the rapturous response has pushed 'Possible Love' into the conversation for the Golden Lion.
Reuters noted that the film also grapples with themes heavier than romance, touching on labor trauma and the scars of workplace exploitation. Lee reportedly drew on stories of workers he met over the years, weaving their struggles into the film's narrative fabric.
Early buzz suggests the film could become a major awards contender this fall. But for now, audiences in Venice are still unpacking that final act — a sequence that several reviewers have hinted at but refused to spoil.
'Possible Love' does not yet have a U.S. release date, though distributors are reportedly circling after the festival's enthusiastic response.