Cannes-bound thriller “Wailing” already a hit at Korean box office

PanARMENIAN.Net - “The Wailing”, Na Hong Jin’s thriller which plays in Cannes on Wednesday, May 17 got off to a record breaking start in its native South Korea, Variety reports.

The film (aka “Gokseong”,) backed by Fox International Productions, the local-language film arm of 20th Century Fox, pulled in $16.8 million over the weekend from 1,467 screens. That was bigger than the lifetime score of Na’s previous picture “The Yellow Sea.”

It was the biggest ever opening weekend for Fox in Korea, overtaking “The Martian.”

In more local terms, it was the third largest opening weekend of 2016 and the 8th largest opening of all time in Korea for a Korean-language title.

The story involves a father who tenaciously endeavors to save his daughter from danger, but himself comes under suspicion.

The official selection, out of competition slot is the third time in Cannes for Na, following his debut “The Chaser” in Cannes in 2008 and “The Yellow Sea” in Un Certain Regard in 2010. International rights are handled by sales agency Finecut.