The press conference for the feature film “Water Lilies,” directed by South Korean filmmaker Chanho Lee, was held on Thursday evening, November 27, at Honar Shahr Aftab Cineplex in Shiraz.
Starring Hyo-won Lee, Eun seo Choi, Seung yeon Lee, In cheol Park, and Young-duk Park, “Water Lilies” is competing in the Future Frame section of the 43rd Fajr International Film Festival, a category dedicated to first and second features that highlight emerging cinematic voices. The film follows the story of Hyo-won, an aspiring actress, who moves to Seoul with Eunseo, a school dropout, in search of a new beginning. As they navigate life in the city, their friendship is tested by ambition, emotional distance, and the relentless pressures of urban existence.
At the beginning of the press conference, Lee expressed his gratitude for the screening. “I am happy that you watched my film,” he said. “It is a great honor to have my film shown here. This film does not belong to me alone; if it receives any recognition, it belongs to the entire cast and crew. I believe a film is not completed in the editing room, but rather in the cinema hall by the audience.”
Lee explained that the film centers on the concept of suffering and human empathy. “This film is about pain—other people’s pain—and the chain reaction through which suffering spreads among human beings,” he said. “I try to present an honest understanding of pain. I believe the most important step is to sincerely acknowledge and accept the suffering of others. Respecting others’ pain is essential, because failing to understand it leads to the expansion of human suffering.”
Discussing the film’s characters, Lee noted that the story focuses on two young women who move from a rural area to the city in South Korea. “One of them wants to escape stereotypes and become an actress, while the other characters are not particularly ambitious,” he said. “Despite this, all the characters experience failure. Still, I believe there is hope in my film—hope for recovery and progress.”
Lee also highlighted the importance of small, everyday acts of kindness. “The friends of the main character try to help her through simple actions, such as fixing a light,” he explained. “I believe it is through these small gestures that we can overcome suffering. This idea was present in every shot of the film, as I constantly tried to respond to human pain.”
Speaking about his experience at the Fajr International Film Festival, Lee said, “I enjoy participating in different festivals because you meet new people. Today, I met filmmakers from Greece and Turkey, which is exactly my goal. I hope to return to Shiraz again. This is a very significant festival.”
In closing, Lee added, “I have watched the films of Asghar Farhadi and Abbas Kiarostami, and I admire their work.”
The 43rd Fajr International Film Festival is underway in Shiraz from November 26 to December 3, 2025.
