The 49th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is buzzing with excitement after the world premiere of Harbin on September 8th. The film, officially invited to the Gala Presentation section, received an overwhelmingly positive response. On the 9th, stars Hyun Bin and Lee Dong Wook joined a packed crowd for an “In Conversation With” event, followed by a lively Q&A session that left audiences wanting more.
Hyun Bin expressed his confidence in the film, stating, “‘Harbin’ is a movie you have to watch in theaters.” He opened up about the pressure of portraying the legendary independence activist Ahn Jung Geun but explained, “As an actor, the chance to play such a great figure doesn’t come often, so I accepted the role.” He added, “This isn’t just the story of Ahn Jung Geun; it’s the story of all the people and independence fighters who rooted themselves in this land,” building anticipation for the film.
Lee Dong Wook shared his motivation for joining the project, saying, “I wanted to be a part of this film, even if it was just in a small role because it tells the story of Ahn Jung Geun.” He also teased, “I prepared for the movie with the intention of showing a completely different side of myself,” sparking curiosity among fans.
Director Woo Min Ho emphasized the importance of telling this story, comparing it to how Western cinema frequently revisits Nazi-related themes. “Just as films about Nazi Germany continue to be made, we, too, need to address the Japanese occupation period. There’s a saying, ‘A nation that forgets its history has no future,’ and that’s something I kept in mind while shooting ‘Harbin.’”
Reflecting on the challenging production process, Hyun Bin expressed his gratitude for his co-stars, saying, “Although they’re not here today, without my comrades Park Jung Min, Jo Woo Jin, Jeon Yeo Been, Park Hoon, and Yoo Jae Myung, I wouldn’t have made it through the tough shoot.” Lee Dong Wook echoed the sentiment, noting, “Working on ‘Harbin’ gave me more time to think about the sacrifices made by independence fighters for our country.”
The Q&A session, with a range of questions from the audience, ended with enthusiastic applause from the fans.
Source: CJ ENM
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