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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Movies and TV devider Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho takes the plunge into animation with 'Ally'

Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho takes the plunge into animation with 'Ally'

Published Apr 3, 2026 01:12 pm
An image from the upcoming animated film 'Ally' (Courtesy of CJ ENM)
An image from the upcoming animated film 'Ally' (Courtesy of CJ ENM)
Bong Joon-ho, the visionary director behind “Parasite” and “Mickey 17,” is charting bold new territory with “Ally,” his first foray into animation.
The film is set for wide international release, with distribution handled by Penture Invest, the French powerhouse Pathé Films, and CJ ENM.
Bong co-wrote the screenplay with Jason Yu, director of "Sleep," while Barunson C&C oversees production. Seo Woo-sik, CEO of Barunson Entertainment, serves as producer — marking his third collaboration with Bong after "Mother" and "Okja."
“Ally” centers on a community of deepwater creatures captivated by the world above the surface. When a plane crashes into the ocean, Ally — a curious octopus — sets off on an unexpected adventure with friends, venturing closer to the human world than any of them ever imagined.
A passion project years in the making, Bong has been developing “Ally” since 2018, with production slated to wrap in the first half of next year.
Bong cemented his global reputation with "Parasite" in 2019, which made Academy Awards history as the first film ever to win both Best Picture and Best International Feature Film, while also earning Bong Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.
The landmark win also made "Parasite" the first South Korean film to take home an Oscar. Bong’s acclaimed filmography spans "Memories of Murder," "Snowpiercer," "Mother," and his most recent feature, "Mickey 17," released in 2025.

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Bong Joon-ho Ally Animation Parasite CJ ENM
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