The Old Woman with the Knife

The Old Woman with the Knife
Festival release poster
Hangul	파과
Literal meaning	Breakthrough
Revised Romanization	Pa-gwa
Directed by	Min Kyu-dong
Screenplay by	Kim Dong-wan Min Gyoo-dong
Story by	Gu Byeong-mo
Based on	파과 (The Old Woman with the Knife) by Gu Byeong-mo
Produced by	Min Jin-soo
Starring	Lee Hye-young Shin Si-ah
Cinematography	Lee Jae-woo
Edited by	Jung Jung Eun
Music by	Kim Jun-sung
Production company	Soo Film
Distributed by	Next Entertainment World M-Line Distribution
Release dates	20 February 2025 (2025-02-20) (Berlinale) 2025 (2025) (Theaters)
Running time	134 minutes
Country	South Korea
Language	Korean

The Old Woman with the Knife (Korean: 파과) is an upcoming South Korean action thriller film directed by Min Kyu-dong. The film based on the novel of the same name by Gu Byeong-mo, follows Hornclaw, a legendary assassin in her 60s, specialises in eliminating the scum of the earth.[1]

The film will premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on February 20, 2025 as part of Berlinale Special programme.[2]

Synopsis

Hornclaw, a seasoned assassin in her sixties, faces upheaval when Bullfight, a skilled young hitman, seeks to partner with her. Unaware of his true identity, she fails to recognize their past connection. As tensions rise, their relationship spirals into a deadly confrontation fueled by vengeance and survival.

Cast

• Lee Hye-young as Fingernail
• Kim Sung-cheol as Tuu
• Yeon Woo-jin as Teacher Dr. Kang
• Kim Moo-yul as Ryoo
• Yang Ju-mi
• Shin Si-ah[3] as young Fingernail

Production

In February 2024, Kim Sung-cheol was cast in the film as protagonist.[4] In June 2024, Lee Hye-young was cast as the main character in the film.[5]

Release

The Old Woman with the Knife will have its world premiere in the Berlinale Special section of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on 20 February 2025.[6][7][8]

References

1. Park Jae-hwan (January 17, 2025). "민규동 감독 신작 '파과' 베를린국제영화제 공식 초청" [Director Min Gyu-dong's new film 'Breakthrough' officially invited to Berlinale]. KBS Media (in Korean). K Star. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
2. Economou, Vassilis (January 16, 2025). "Berlinale Special expands its selection with diverse new additions". Cineuropa. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
3. Kim Kyung-hee (January 20, 2025). "배우 신시아, 베를린 초청작 '파과'로 강렬한 스크린 복귀" [Actress Cynthia makes a powerful screen return with Berlin premiere 'Breakthrough']. MBC Entertainment (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
4. Moon Ji-yeon (February 14, 2024). "[단독] 변요한 아닌 김성철..영화 '파과' 주인공 됐다" [[Exclusive] He became the protagonist of the movie "Breakthrough"]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
5. Kim Myung-mi (June 14, 2024). "이혜영, 영화 '파과' 주인공 캐스팅…60대 女 킬러 파격 변신[공식]" [Lee Hye-young casts the main character in the movie 'Breakthrough'... 60's 女 killer radical transformation [Official]]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
6. Dalton, Ben (January 16, 2025). "Berlinale reveals Special, Panorama, Generation and Forum titles". ScreenDaily. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
7. Ntim, Zac (January 16, 2025). "Justin Kurzel Series 'The Narrow Road To The Deep North' Starring Jacob Elordi Among Titles Added To Berlinale Lineup". Deadline. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
8. "The Old Woman with the Knife". Berlinale. February 4, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025.

External links

• The Old Woman with the Knife at IMDb 
• The Old Woman with the Knife at HanCinema
• The Old Woman with the Knife at Berlinale