Hong Sangsoo's 35th Feature Lands U.S. Distribution Ahead of Locarno Competition Slot

Cinema Guild has acquired North American distribution rights to Hong Sangsoo's latest film, "Nowhere to Lay My Eyes," ahead of its premiere at the Locarno Film Festival. The arthouse distributor will release the South Korean auteur's 35th feature in North America, with the film set to debut in the Swiss festival's international competition in August, Variety reported.

VarietyCinema Guild Acquires North American Rights to Hong Sangsoo's 'Nowhere to Lay My Eyes' Ahead of Locarno Premiere

"Nowhere to Lay My Eyes" stars Kim Minhee as Sanghee, a woman who returns to Jeju Island to visit her mother after a decade apart. The story follows her reconnection with family, including her brother, her stepfather, and her stepfather's daughter, according to Deadline. The Hollywood Reporter noted that Cinema Guild calls the film a "bittersweet reflection on the meaning, beauty and complexity of life."

The Hollywood ReporterHong Sang-soo’s ‘Nowhere to Lay My Eyes’ Goes to Cinema Guild for N. America Before Locarno Debut

Sanghee's stepfather is a documentary filmmaker working on a project about a "grass tomb," a traditional burial method, Deadline reported. Meanwhile, her stepfather's daughter has taken up painting, and her mother runs a successful restaurant, Variety added. The layered family dynamics provide the backdrop for what Hong's distributor describes as a deeply personal work.

The acquisition continues Cinema Guild's track record of bringing Hong's contemplative dramas to American audiences. The director, known for his minimalist style and recurring collaborations with Kim Minhee, has maintained a prolific output, with this film marking his 35th feature. Locarno's international competition slot underscores the festival's continued embrace of Hong's distinctive cinematic voice.