Well Go USA acquires Lee Chang-dong’s Cannes favorite ‘Burning’ for 2018 US release

It was announced today that Well Go USA has acquired all North American rights to auteur director Lee Chang-dong’s BURNING.

Based on a story by Haruki Murakami (The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, 1Q84), BURNING is the searing examination of an alienated young man, Jongsu (Ah-in Yoo – The Throne), a frustrated introvert whose already difficult life is complicated by the appearance of two people into his orbit: first, Haemi (newcomer Jong-seo Jun), a spirited woman who offers romantic possibility, and then, Ben (Steven Yeun of The Walking Dead and the upcoming Sorry to Bother You), a wealthy and sophisticated young man she returns from a trip with. When Jongsu learns of Ben’s mysterious hobby and Haemi suddenly disappears, his confusion and obsessions begin to mount, culminating in a stunning finale.

BURNING was one of the most critically acclaimed films at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, where it was the recipient of the FIPRESCI Prize. For his first film in eight years (his last being the critical and commercial sensation Poetry), Director Lee has assembled an all-star crew behind the camera, including cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo (The Wailing, Snowpiercer), editors Kim Hyun and Kim Da-won, and art director Shin Jeom-hui (Poetry, Secret Sunshine, Oasis, Peppermint Candy), who won the Vulcan Award of the Technical Artist at Cannes, an independent prize given to the best technical artist in filming, editing, art and sound.

The film was produced by Lee Joon-dong and Lee Chang-dong. The deal was negotiated by Doris Pfardrescher for Well Go USA and Youngjoo Suh for Finecut Co LTD on behalf of the filmmakers.

Well Go USA will release BURNING to theaters across the nation beginning October 26, 2018 in New York City, with expansion to follow throughout November.

“BURNING is exactly the kind of film we’re always looking out for- it is auteur filmmaking at its finest,” said Dylan Marchetti, SVP of Acquisitions and Theatrical Releasing at Well Go. “Well Go has a rich history of bringing the best films from Asia to North American audiences, and like we did with The Assassin, The Wailing, and so many more, we can’t wait to help get diverse audiences into a dark room to take this powerful journey together.”

Well Go USA will release BURNING to theaters across the nation beginning October 26, 2018 in New York City, with expansion to follow throughout November.