Lee Chang

Director Lee Chang-dong, winner of the Grand Jury Prize for the film "Possible Love," poses during the closing ceremony of the 83rd edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Saturday (local time). AP-Yonhap

Filmmaker Lee Chang-dong claimed the prestigious Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on Saturday (local time) with his latest feature "Possible Love."

The historic victory marks the second time a Korean movie has taken home the award at the world’s oldest film festival, following director Kim Ki-duk’s Golden Lion win for "Pieta" in 2012. It also brings closure to a long-standing Venice quest for Lee, who won the Silver Lion for Best Director 24 years ago with "Oasis" (2002).

The Golden Lion award, the festival's highest honor, went to Danish-Egyptian filmmaker May el-Toukhy's "Woman Unknown," beating out other works from world-famous directors like Lee, Hirokazu Kore-eda and Martin McDonagh.

Director Lee Chang-dong accepts the Grand Jury Prize for his film "Possible Love" during the closing ceremony of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Saturday (local time). AP-Yonhap

Accepting the award on stage, the director expressed deep gratitude to the jury, festival organizers and his team.

"I would like to thank the jury for giving me this precious award, and the festival officials for inviting me back to this beautiful festival after 24 years," Lee said. "Without the patience and long wait of so many people, this movie might never have been made."

He also extended his appreciation to global streamer Netflix for financing the project and co-writer Oh Jung-mi for reviving the long-shelved story, along with the film's cast.

"I want to share this feeling with everyone who made this film with me," Lee added. "Above all, I thank the actors and crew who gave everything on set. I especially thank Sul Kyung-gu, Jeon Do-yeon, Zo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong for giving life to this film. This award belongs to all of you."

Speaking about the movie’s core theme, Lee said he wanted to shed light on how cinema can still connect people.

"I made this movie to ask what cinema can and should do in an era where labor is disappearing and human connections are being broken," he said. "I take this award as a sign to keep asking those questions."

Director Lee Chang-Dong poses with the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize for the movie "Possible Love" during the closing ceremony of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, Italy, Saturday (local time). Reuters-Yonhap

The award drew immediate praise from political and cultural leaders here.

President Lee Jae Myung offered his congratulations on X (formerly Twitter), celebrating the historic achievement.

"I offer my heartfelt congratulations to director Lee Chang-dong, as well as all the actors and production crew," the president wrote. “I hope this award expands the diversity of Korean cinema and allows more great works to connect with global audiences."

Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young also shared a congratulatory message.

"With this dazzling achievement in Venice following 'Oasis' in 2002, you have set another great milestone in Korean cinema history," Choi wrote on his X account. "Your deep artistic spirit, which never stops asking questions, has once again struck a deep chord in the hearts of filmmakers around the world."

"Possible Love" centers on the unlikely encounter between two couples brought together through a documentary project. Sul Kyung-gu stars as Ho-seok, a laid-off factory worker, while Jeon Do-yeon plays the role of his wife, Mi-ok, both struggling in the aftermath of a violent police crackdown on labor strikes.

Opposing them are Zo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong, who play a wealthy couple, with Cho portraying Ye-ji, the ambitious documentary filmmaker who captures the four lives intertwining.

By mixing Korea’s past labor struggles with contemporary social worries, the movie gives a touching look at empathy, class envy and the duties of an artist.

Jury member Johnnie To, left, presents director Lee Chang-dong the Grand Jury Prize for the film "Possible Love" during the closing ceremony of the 83rd edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Saturday (local time). AP-Yonhap

The film’s emotional touch is made even stronger by quiet, gentle music from composer Jung Jae-il, famous for his work on Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite" and the Netflix series "Squid Game."

International critics praised the movie following its premiere, which was greeted with a seven-minute standing ovation. The Hollywood Reporter lauded it as a "profound meditation on trauma and yearning," while the International Cinephile Society awarded it 4.5 out of 5 stars, describing it as "an absolute knockout."

The festival win now serves as a powerful launchpad for the film's global campaign. "Possible Love" has already been selected as Korea's official entry for Best International Feature Film at the upcoming Academy Awards.

Financed and distributed internationally by Netflix, "Possible Love" is scheduled for a domestic theatrical release on Sept. 23, followed by a limited Oscar-qualifying run in the U.S. on Oct. 23 before streaming worldwide beginning Nov. 6.