The Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize for "The Novelist's Film," the 27th feature film from director Hong Sang-soo, was awarded on Thursday at the Berlin International Film Festival.

The 72nd Berlin International Film Festival will take place from February 10 to February 20 in Berlin, Germany, and is a live event.

"I honestly didn't anticipate winning such a significant award. I'm completely taken aback. "I would want to express my gratitude to all of the jury members for their consideration," Hong said in an acceptance speech delivered in English. " "I get the impression that I need to say something more, but I'm at a loss for what to say." "I'll just keep doing what I've been doing," says the author.

Hong's Silver Bear-winning 92-minute film is shot in black-and-white and has a running time of 92 minutes.

This is the third year in a row that Hong has had a film selected for inclusion in the Berlin International Film Festival.

Hong's "The Woman Who Ran" won the Silver Bear for best director in 2020, while his "Introduction" won the Silver Bear for best script in 2021, both of which were directed by Hong. Kim also took up the best actress prize at the Berlinale in 2017 for her role in Hong's "On the Beach at Night Alone." The film was directed by Hong himself.

Beginning with a long journey to a bookshop managed by a friend with whom she has lost contact, the film follows female author Jun-hee (Lee Hye-young) as she begins her journey. After arriving at the bookshop on her own, she proceeds to a neighboring observation tower, where she comes face to face with a film director and his wife.

They go for a walk in the park and happen to run into a renowned actor (Kim Min-hee). The author attempts to persuade the actor to take part in a film that she is considering making in the near future. They all agree that they need to have something to eat in order to continue the talk. When they finish their lunch, they return to the bookshop for a drink.

During the award ceremony, Hong summoned the lead actor, Kim Min-hee, with whom he is involved in an adulterous relationship, to the stage and introduced him.

"The Novelist's Film" was another project in which Kim contributed as a production manager.

"I had the impression that the picture was well-received during today's showing. I should have thanked you, but I was unable to do so. It was a moving and amazing experience. "Thank you," Kim expressed himself in Korean.

Since their debut collaboration, "Right Now, Wrong Then," in 2015, Hong and Kim have been collaborating on various projects for more than seven years. They announced their relationship in 2017, and since then Kim has collaborated with Hong on eight more films, including "On the Beach at Night Alone," "The Day After," "Claire's Camera," "Grass," "Hotel by the River," "The Woman Who Ran," "Introduction," and most recently, "The Novelist's Film." Kim and Hong have been together since 1997.

Kim is joined on screen by two experienced actors, Lee and Seo Young-Hwa, who both play important roles in the film.

Meanwhile, the top Golden Bear for best picture went to "Alcarras," directed by Carla Simon, which received the award for best film.

Following the death of their landlord, a family of peach growers in a tiny hamlet in Catalonia finds themselves facing eviction. Simon's film is based on this story.