The Grand Illusion

South Korea's submission to this year's Academy Awards!

After a massive earthquake, Seoul has swiftly been reduced to rubble. Everything in the city has collapsed, except for one building. Hwang Gung Apartments remains standing, as it was before that day. When survivors from the outside hear of this, they begin to gather at Hwang Gung Apartments. However, the original residents of the building start to feel threatened. Banding together for the sake of their survival, they elect ‘Young-tak’ as their Resident Delegate. Under his leadership, they strictly ban entry by outsiders and draw up a new set of Resident Regulations. Thanks to this, in contrast to the hellish nightmare outside, Hwang Gung Apartments stands as a safe and peaceful utopia for its residents. But amidst the continual threats to their survival, unexpected conflicts begin to arise among them...

In Korean with English subtitles.

“CRITIC’S PICK! Shot through with shards of dark humor, Concrete Utopia observes how quickly we dehumanize the needy when they threaten our survival — and asks if we can be blamed for doing so.” Jeanette Catsoulis, The New York Times

“Disturbingly and crushingly human.” Candice Frederick, Huffington Post

“With brilliant performances and a balanced, harrowing story to propel it, Concrete Utopia isn’t just one of the best films of the year: it may be the best disaster thriller in years.” Lyvie Scott, Inverse