Director Lee Hwan's crime thriller "Project Y," starring popular actresses Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo, has claimed the best film in competition award at the 10th London East Asia Film Festival (LEAFF). The South Korean heist film's victory caps off an impressive festival circuit run for the highly anticipated production.
The film centers on the compelling story of Mi-seon and Do-kyung, two women portrayed by Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo respectively, who resort to criminal activities after losing their life savings. What begins as a calculated scheme to steal a hidden cache of cash and gold bars quickly escalates into a dangerous, high-stakes battle for survival that tests both their friendship and their will to live.
The 10th edition of LEAFF took place from October 23 through November 2 across multiple venues throughout London, presenting an impressive lineup of 45 films from countries across Asia. The festival has established itself as one of Europe's most prestigious and influential platforms for showcasing Asian cinema to international audiences.
Korean cinema dominated much of this year's programming, with several notable productions receiving recognition. Director Kang Yun-sung was honored with the Future of Asian Cinema Award for his groundbreaking feature "Run to the West," a 60-minute dystopian fantasy starring Byun Yo-han. The film holds the distinction of being the first Korean commercial feature to incorporate artificial intelligence technology for rendering and visual effects, marking a significant milestone in the industry's technological evolution.
Other Korean films also gained prominent placement in the festival's schedule. Actor-turned-director Ha Jung-woo's "The People Upstairs" received special gala status and included a director Q&A session with audiences. Meanwhile, director Yeon Sang-ho's microbudget production "The Ugly" competed in the official selection category, demonstrating the diversity of Korean filmmaking.
The festival concluded with a gala screening of "Kokuho" at the prestigious Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square. The 175-minute drama, directed by Zainichi filmmaker Lee Sang-il, tells the inspiring story of an orphan who rises through Japan's traditional kabuki world to become a designated living national treasure. The film proved to be a major commercial success in Japan, generating 16.4 billion yen at the box office since its June 6 release.
"Project Y" had previously made appearances at other major international film festivals, including screenings at both the Toronto International Film Festival and the Busan International Film Festival. Despite its festival success, distributor Plus M Entertainment has not yet announced an official release date for the film in South Korea, leaving audiences eagerly awaiting news of when they can see the award-winning thriller in theaters.
