Honest Candidate
| Honest Candidate | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Jang Yu-jeong |
| Written by |
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| Based on | O Candidato Honesto by Roberto Santucci |
| Produced by | Song Jung-min |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Park Yong-soo |
| Edited by | Jung Ji-eun |
| Music by | Lee Jae-jin |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Next Entertainment World |
Release date |
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Running time | 104 minutes |
| Country | South Korea |
| Language | Korean |
| Box office | $10,468,890[1] |
Honest Candidate (Korean: 정직한 후보; RR: Jeongjikhan Hubo) is a 2020 South Korean comedy film directed by Jang Yu-jeong, starring Ra Mi-ran, Kim Mu-yeol, Na Moon-hee, Yoon Kyung-ho and Jang Dong-joo.[2] It is the remake of the 2014 Brazilian film O Candidato Honesto.[3] It was released on February 12, 2020.[4][5]
Plot
A third-term congresswoman who is running for the fourth time is suddenly unable to lie a few days before the elections are about to take place. The problem is that her whole political career is based on lies.
Cast
Main
- Ra Mi-ran as Joo Sang-sook
- Kim Mu-yeol as Park Hee-cheol
- Na Moon-hee as Kim Ok-hee
- Yoon Kyung-ho as Bong Man-sik
- Jang Dong-joo as Bong Eun-ho
Supporting
- Song Young-chang as Lee Woon-hak
- Son Jong-hak as Kim Sang-pyo
- Cho Soo-hyang as Shin Ji-sun
- Ahn Se-ho as Lee Jeong-min
- Kim Na-yoon as Yoon Mi-kyung
- Ko Kyu-pil as Reporter Hwang
- Kim Yong-rim as mother-in-law
Special appearances
- Jo Han-chul as Nam Yong-sung
- On Joo-wan as Kim Joon-young
- Yoon Se-ah as Cha Yoon-kyung
- Oh Man-seok as Jang Deok-joon
Production
Development
Director Jang Yu-jeong came across the film O Candidato Honesto when she was recording a commentary for The Bros (2017). She said that "she could have made it to fuel anger by shedding light on the realities of local politics and press, but thought it would be more interesting to turn [it] into a satire. [She] was immediately hooked and made the decision [to make the film] in about 10 minutes."[6]
Casting
Although the original character is a male politician in Roberto Santucci's O Candidato Honesto, director and screenwriter Jang Yu-jeong casted actress Ra Mi-ran for the role of the protagonist. As she "developed the character, [she] realized that no other person could handle this role other than Ra. That’s how the gender changed."[6]
Filming
Principal photography began on June 15, 2019.[7] Filming was completed on September 7.[8]
Release
The distributor Next Entertainment World considered postponing the release of the film due to the COVID-19 pandemic but eventually decided not to, and the film was released on February 12, 2020 as originally planned.[9]
Reception
Box office
Released on a Wednesday, the film topped its first weekend box office and constituted 44% of the total ticket sales.[10][11]
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 41st Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Leading Actress | Ra Mi-ran | Pending | [12] |
See also
References
- ^ "Honest Candidate (2020)". Korean Film Council. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
- ^ Dong, Sun-hwa (January 6, 2020). "'I will run for election if 'Honest Candidate' sells 10 million tickets'". The Korea Times. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
- ^ Kim, Bo-ra (December 19, 2019). "'정직한 후보' 라미란, 거짓말쟁이 국회의원 변신..포스터 첫 공개[Oh!쎈 컷]". Osen (in Korean). News Chosun. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
- ^ Choi, Ji-won (February 14, 2020). "[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week". The Korea Herald. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ "Korean Movie Opening Today 2020/02/12 in Korea". HanCinema. February 12, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
- ^ a b Na, Won-jeong (February 21, 2020). "When the truth sets you free: Director Jang Yu-jeong's 'Honest Candidate' pokes fun at the life of a politician". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
- ^ Conran, Pierce (June 26, 2019). "Ra Mi-ran, Kim Mu-yeol and Na Moon-hee Campaign for Honest Candidate". Korean Film Council. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
- ^ Cho, Yu-kyung (September 17, 2019). "라미란x김무열x나문희 '정직한 후보' 9월 7일 크랭크업". Donga (in Korean). Retrieved May 19, 2020.
- ^ Lee, Gyu-lee (February 16, 2020). "'Honest Candidate' off to good start - and that's no lie". The Korea Times. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
- ^ Kil, Sonia (February 17, 2020). "Korea Box Office: 'Honest Candidate' Wins Weekend as 'Parasite' Returns to Chart". Variety. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
- ^ Lee, Jae-lim (February 17, 2020). "[Korean Box Office] Audiences cast their votes for 'Honest Candidate': Comedy starring actor Ra Mi-ran tells story of politician who can't lie". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
- ^ "[공식]제41회 청룡영화상 후보 발표…'남산의부장들' 10개 부문 최다 노미" (in Korean). November 11, 2020.
External links
- Honest Candidate at the Korean Movie Database (in Korean)
- Honest Candidate at HanCinema
- Honest Candidate at IMDb