Park Chan-wook on Hollywood Debut 'Stoker': I Wish I Had More Time With the Actors

SEOUL -- Park Chan-wook says he had to break out of his comfort zone for his English-language debut Stoker.

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The South Korean director, best known for his Vengeance trilogy, spoke to local reporters Thursday about working on the U.S. psychological thriller.

“Shooting a movie in the United States was a novel and stimulating experience. But it was also a very awkward one, having to work with a new system and language,” Park said. “I guess I’ve been accustomed to working with almost always the same cast and crew in Korea for such a long time.”

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“I was struck by how fast the production moved; there were a lot of shooting to be done every day, and I was a little sad that I didn’t have time to discuss things more with the actors,” he said about collaborating with Hollywood stars Nicole Kidman, Mia Wasikowska and Matthew Goode on the set in Tennessee.

Stoker, about a mother and daughter’s encounter with a mysterious uncle figure, is due to open in U.S. theaters on March 1. It is yet to be announced whether it will make a bow at the upcoming Berlin Film Festival.

Meanwhile, Park was happy to tread familiar waters for a short film project, Cheongchungeoram (Korean transliteration), about a “pansori” (Korean opera) master and his young disciple. He reteamed with brother Park Chan-kyong, with whom he co-directed the 2011 Berlin Golden Bear-winning short Night Fishing, and actor Song Kang-ho, who played the lead in his vampire thriller Thirst.

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“It was wonderful to work with old friends and family again, even if production lasted for just four days,” said Park. “The best part about working with your brother is that you can make quick visits to the bathroom while shooting.”

The Park brothers work as a duo dubbed PARKing CHANce, combining their names, and said they plan to concentrate on shorts and experimental films.

Park also produced the upcoming Korea-U.S.-France co-production Snow Piercer, a sci-fi thriller directed by fellow countryman Bong Joon-ho.