Russia Sets August Date for Kore-eda’s Intermediaries
The press service of the film distributor Russian Interview disclosed that Intermediaries, the Cannes prize-winning work by Hirokazu Kore-eda, is slated for release in Russia on August 24. The information was reported by TASS.
The film centers on a provocative question about whether it is ever right to bring a human life into the world. Its plot follows a man who contemplates profiting from selling a newborn child, left in a baby box by his estranged mother, to a family seeking to adopt. The narrative uses this premise to explore themes of ethics, motherhood, and the commodification of human life.
In Korea, the film drew a substantial audience, with one million viewers recorded in the first ten days of its release. This strong turnout mirrors ongoing concerns about the country’s adoption system, a background that intensifies public interest in the film’s moral questions. The leading role is portrayed by Song Kang-ho, a renowned Korean actor previously recognized for his work in Parasite, where he also played the father figure. Song Kang-ho’s performance contributed to the film’s critical attention, underscoring Kore-eda’s reputation for bringing weighty social issues to the screen. It marks a noteworthy moment for Korean cinema and its interaction with global audiences at major festivals, including Cannes, where the actor achieved notable recognition.
Earlier reports indicated that the film would have a broad release, with plans for theater and online distribution in August 2023, expanding Kore-eda’s international footprint. The project continues to attract discussions about the director’s approach to contemporary moral dilemmas and the responsibilities of cinema in addressing sensitive subjects.
Additionally, industry chatter circulated about potential casting collaborations on similar projects, with mentions of actors such as Robert Pattinson and Mark Ruffalo being associated with new directions in Kore-eda’s cinema landscape. While margins of these discussions reflect industry rumors, they highlight persistent interest in Kore-eda’s evolving filmography and the potential cross-border collaborations that shape his storytelling in the years ahead.
Attribution: Information drawn from official distributor announcements and coverage by TASS.