‘Concrete Utopia’ Lee Byung-hun wins Best Actor and Best Picture… Buil Film Awards 4 wins

(Xports News Reporter Kim Yu-jin) The movie ‘Concrete Utopia’ (directed by Um Tae-hwa) won a total of 4 awards at the 32nd Buil Film Awards: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Cinematography, and Female Star of the Year.

At the 32nd Buil Film Awards held on the 5th, ‘Concrete Utopia’ won awards in four categories, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Cinematography, and Female Star of the Year, once again proving its topicality and artistic value.

‘Concrete Utopia’ is a disaster drama that depicts the story of Seoul, which has been devastated by a major earthquake, and begins with survivors gathering in the only remaining imperial palace apartment.

Climax Studio CEO Byun Seung-min, who attended on behalf of ‘Concrete Utopia’, said about winning the Best Picture Award, “I am sincerely grateful to the director, actors, and staff who worked with me on the work. I received the award in 2023, but the award was received 20 years ago in 2003. I remember this as the year in which the films that made me pursue filmmaking, such as ‘Memories of Murder’ and ‘Old Boy,’ were released. ‘Concrete Utopia’ is a meaningful work that can be a new beginning for someone and can be talked about even after a long time has passed. “I wish there was,” he said.

Son Seok-woo, CEO of BH Entertainment, which co-produced the film, said, “I am sincerely grateful to writer Lee Shin-ji and director Eom Tae-hwa for writing a good scenario. ‘Concrete Utopia’ seems to be a work that conveyed the planning intention to the audience better than any other work. Lastly. “I would like to say that everyone has worked hard, from the minor actors who served as layers to the main actors,” he said while giving his acceptance speech, giving honor to his colleagues who had gone through hardships together.

Lee Byung-hun, who portrayed the swirling emotions in a three-dimensional way to protect the residents from outsiders, achieved the feat of winning the Best Actor Award. Byung-hun Lee has shown an irreplaceable presence, receiving praise for once again giving the performance of a lifetime as Yeong-tak, the resident representative with a naive-looking yet charismatic gaze.

Director of photography Cho Hyeong-rae, who delicately captured the gradually escalating dramatic situations and emotional changes of the characters, was overwhelmingly selected by the judges and won the Best Cinematography Award.

Director Eom Tae-hwa, who received the trophy on behalf of Director of Photography Cho Hyeong-rae, said, “Because it was a movie with a dark setting without light, the shooting should have been darkened, but I think Director of Photography Cho Hyung-rae’s contribution was great in not losing sight of the aesthetics and mood of the movie even during the dark process.””Thank you to the director,” he said, expressing his joy at receiving the award.

Lastly, Park Bo-young, who perfectly played the famous character who tries to maintain her own firm beliefs without being swayed by extreme situations, had the pleasure of winning the Female Star of the Year Award.

Park Bo-young, who attempted the disaster drama genre for the first time, showed the audience a wider acting spectrum by densely expressing a character with mature eyes and acting, a solid inner self, and strong charisma.

Meanwhile, ‘Concrete Utopia’ was selected as the closing film of the London East Asian Film Festival (LEAFF) to be held on the 18th, following being invited to the Toronto International Film Festival, Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival, Hawaii International Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, Fantastic Fest, and Zurich International Film Festival. It is expected to continue its global box office success by showing its presence as a hot topic that attracts the world’s attention.

‘Concrete Utopia’ is being screened in theaters nationwide and is reaching a wider audience through simultaneous theater VOD services.

Photo = Buil Film Awards broadcast screen, Lotte Entertainment

Reporter Yujin Kim slowlife@xportsnews.com