According To The variety The Jokers Films has acquired French distribution rights to Barunson E&A’s “The World of Love,” the top-grossing independent Korean film at the 2025 local box office.
The acquisition deal was negotiated between Manuel Chiche, founder of The Jokers Films and head of Asian acquisitions, and Sylvie Kim, head of international business at Barunson E&A.
The feature surpassed 150,000 admissions in Korea as of Nov. 30.
Directed by Yoon Ga-eun, acclaimed for “The World of Us” (Berlinale 2016) and “The House of Us” (BFI London 2019), the drama centers on 17-year-old Lee Jooin (Seo Su-bin), an unpredictable high school student whose angry outburst creates ripple effects throughout her world. The title has gained traction on the festival circuit, world premiering at Toronto’s Platform competition and collecting jury and audience awards at Pingyao International Film Festival’s Crouching Tigers section, along with the Fipresci Award at the Warsaw Film Festival. The film recently played at the Cork International Film Festival’s Momentum section.
The film recently won the Montgolfière d’Or, the top prize in the international competition section, at the 47th Nantes 3 Continents Film Festival. Previous recipients of the honor include “Hanami” (2024), “The Shadowless Tower” (2023), “Glorious Ashes” (2022), and “Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy” (2021).
The festival jury praised the film for exploring a universally denied subject with depth, tenderness and sensitivity. “Through rich and complex characters who have the courage to refuse to be confined by an imposed narrative, the film tackles a taboo subject without ever looking away, always celebrating life and love above all else,” the jury stated. “For its richness, its power, and its ability to make us think, ‘The World of Love’ receives the Montgolfière d’or.”
Founded in 2014 by Chiche and Violaine Barbaroux, The Jokers Films has built a reputation for handling acclaimed international cinema. The company’s slate includes Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite,” Park Chan-wook’s “The Handmaiden,” Wong Kar Wai’s “2046” and Nicolas Winding Refn’s “The Neon Demon.”
“The Jokers are very proud to be the French distributor of ‘The World of Love.’ On a personal note I haven’t been so moved and enthusiastic about a Korean movie since some time,” said Chiche. “Yoon Ga-eun is a brilliant director and some sequences (especially the car wash scene) are absolutely fantastic. Being able to see this kind of talent is the ultimate reason why we are doing this job. We are very thankful to Barunson E&A for their trust.”
“The World of Love” is currently playing at the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival, which also includes the JAFF Market, and is next at the Red Sea Film Festival.
