Kim Jee-woon’s ‘Cobweb’ Set for U.S. Theatrical Launch

Kim Jee-woon’s black comedy “Cobweb,” which debuted this year at Cannes, is set for a U.S. theatrical release in early 2024. Rights to the picture were licensed by distributor Samuel Goldwyn Films from Korea-based sales agent Barunson E&A.

The 1970s-set film within a film stars Song Kong-ho, star of Oscar-winning “Parasite” and 2022 winner of the best actor award at Cannes for his role in Kore-eda Hirokazu’s “Broker.”

Song appears as obsessive film director Kim, who is seized by the desire to re-shoot the ending of his completed film “Cobweb” in two days to create a masterpiece. Chaos lurks around every corner, from his confused and uncooperative cast and crew to interference from the then all-powerful censorship authorities.

Following its premiere at Cannes in May, the Anthology Studios-produced “Cobweb” will play at fall festivals including the 19th Fantastic Fest, the BFI London Film Festival and the 56th Sitges Film Festival.

Its Korean commercial release is set for the Chuseok holiday period at the end of September.

The film will also release in other international territories following sales to Taiwan (Movie Cloud), Japan (Happinet Phantom Studio), France (The Jokers Films, a deal sealed by Finecut), Germany and Italy (Plaion Pictures), Spain (La Aventura), Australia and New Zealand (Umbrella Entertainment), Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand (Clover Films), Hong Kong and Macau (Edko Films) and The Philippines(TBA Studios). Release dates vary.

“[Kim Jee-woon] is a super talent and the film, which we saw in Cannes, is fun with great performances from its all-star cast and will appeal to not only genre audiences but cinephiles” said Ben Feingold, CEO of Samuel Goldwyn Films, in a prepared statement.

Kim’s filmography includes “A Bittersweet Life,” revenge thriller “I Saw The Devil” (2010), ‘Kimchi’ western “The Good, the Bad, the Weird” (2008), period spy action “The Age of Shadows” (2016), and the recent Apple TV+ sci-fi thriller series “Dr. Brain.”