AceShowbiz - Hope is set to debut in the Cannes Film Festival competition this month, with the international streaming and distribution rights now secured by Mubi for multiple territories. The film is a new sci-fi action thriller from South Korean director Na Hong-Jin, known for his acclaimed works The Wailing and The Yellow Sea.

Mubi has acquired rights for Hope in Latin America, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Turkey. The company will reveal its theatrical release strategy for the film in these areas in the near future. Following the cinemas run, Hope will be available on Mubi's streaming platform. Meanwhile, Neon holds North American distribution rights and also manages the film’s release in the United Kingdom and Australia.

The narrative takes place in Hope Harbor, a secluded village near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that separates North and South Korea. When news spreads of a tiger sighting, the village falls into alarm. However, the local police chief’s investigation uncovers a far more disturbing truth behind the commotion.

The cast of Hope includes prominent Korean actors such as Hwang Jung-min (The Wailing), Zo In-sung (Moving), and Hoyeon (Squid Game). The film also stars international talents including Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell, and Cameron Britton. Na Hong-Jin produced the film through his banner Forged Films in partnership with Plus M Entertainment, which is handling international sales.

Mubi has seen considerable success with titles acquired at Cannes in previous years, such as Sentimental Value by Joachim Trier, The Secret Agent by Kleber de Mendonça Filho, and It Was Just An Accident by Jafar Panahi—all released in the U.S. by Neon. Additionally, Mubi is producing Pawe? Pawlikowski’s Fatherland, also premiering in the Cannes Competition this year, and Jane Schoenbrun’s eagerly awaited Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, which is set to open the Un Certain Regard section.

Representation for the key players involved is as follows: Na Hong-Jin is represented by UTA, M3 Global Strategy, Ziffren Brittenham, and Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis. Alicia Vikander is represented by UTA and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern, Tapestry. Taylor Russell is represented by UTA and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Feldman, Rogal, Shikora & Clark. Michael Fassbender is represented by Conor McCaughan, Range Media Partners, and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern, Tapestry. Hoyeon is represented by CAA, BH Entertainment, Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern (SOWDLLP), and Apex PR. Cameron Britton is represented by UTA, Venture Entertainment Partners, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner Auerbach Hynick Jaime LeVine Sample & Klein.