Premiere - Mickey 17 : A Club Allociné Private Screening with Bong Joon-ho and Cast

By Mulder, Paris, Pathé Palace, Room 3, 16 february 2025

On the night of February 16, 2025, an exclusive event took place at the iconic Pathé Palace in Paris as Club Allociné hosted a private screening of Mickey 17, the highly anticipated new film from Bong Joon-ho. The venue, known for welcoming some of the biggest cinematic events in the city, was filled with an air of excitement as film enthusiasts, critics, and industry insiders gathered for a first look at what promises to be one of the most talked-about science fiction films of the year.

Adding to the excitement, the screening was graced by an impressive lineup of talent from the film. Before the screening began, key members of the cast and crew made a special appearance to introduce the film to the audience. The attendees were treated to a rare opportunity to see and hear from actors Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, Steven Yeun, Anamaria Vartolomei, and Anna Mouglalis, alongside producer Dede Gardner, celebrated cinematographer Darius Khondji, and renowned costume designer Catherine George. The presence of such acclaimed artists underscored the magnitude of the film, raising expectations for what was to come. The screening was followed by a Q&A session with the visionary director Bong Joon-ho, allowing audiences to delve deeper into the creative process behind the film.

Mickey 17 tells the gripping and existential story of Mickey Barnes, a man who volunteers to become an "expendable" as part of humanity’s efforts to colonize the harsh and icy planet of Niflheim. His job is perilous—he is tasked with testing the planet’s deadly environment, knowing that upon his inevitable demise, his consciousness can be regenerated into a new body with most of his memories intact. However, things take a dramatic and darkly humorous turn when Mickey 17, a version of himself who miraculously survives a supposedly fatal mission, finds himself face-to-face with his next iteration, Mickey 18. This existential crisis forms the heart of the narrative, raising profound questions about identity, mortality, and the implications of cloning technology. With Robert Pattinson leading the cast as Mickey Barnes, the film promises to be a mesmerizing blend of science fiction, dark humor, and philosophical inquiry.

The exclusive Club Allociné screening provided attendees with an early taste of Bong Joon-ho’s masterful storytelling and visual splendor. Known for crafting genre-defying films such as The Host (2006), Snowpiercer (2013), Okja (2017), and the Oscar-winning Parasite (2019), Bong brings his signature style to Mickey 17. With cinematography helmed by Darius Khondji (Se7en, Amour), an evocative score composed by Jung Jae-il (Parasite), and additional literary contributions from Charles Yu, the film is positioned as an artistic and cinematic triumph.

During the post-screening discussion, Bong Joon-ho elaborated on the challenges of adapting Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7 for the big screen. He spoke passionately about blending elements of psychological tension, satire, and speculative fiction to create a film that not only entertains but also provokes deep thought. He emphasized the film’s exploration of human identity—how does one define selfhood when multiple versions of the same individual exist? He also spoke about working with Robert Pattinson, who delivers a nuanced performance that navigates existential dread, wry humor, and emotional complexity.

The production of Mickey 17 was no small feat. Filming took place at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden between August and December 2022. Originally slated for a March 2024 release, the film was delayed due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike and extensive post-production efforts. Now, with its world premiere set for the prestigious 75th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2025, followed by a staggered international release—February 28 in South Korea, March 5 in France, and March 7 in the United States—the anticipation surrounding the film has reached a fever pitch.

The audience at the Club Allociné screening left with a sense of awe, having witnessed a film that skillfully balances blockbuster spectacle with profound existential themes. The film’s icy, otherworldly landscapes serve as a breathtaking backdrop to its deeply human conflicts, making it a standout addition to Bong Joon-ho’s already extraordinary filmography.

With a supporting cast featuring Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo, Mickey 17 is more than just another sci-fi epic—it is a cerebral and emotionally resonant exploration of what it means to be human in an age of technological advancement. The Allociné Club screening offered an unforgettable glimpse into this cinematic marvel, leaving attendees eager for its full theatrical release.

As the film gears up for its worldwide premiere, it is already generating significant buzz among critics and audiences alike. Mickey 17 is set to redefine modern science fiction, combining the thought-provoking storytelling of Blade Runner and Ex Machina with Bong Joon-ho’s signature genre-bending brilliance. For fans of high-concept cinema, cutting-edge visual storytelling, and deeply philosophical narratives, this is a film that simply cannot be missed. The countdown has begun, and as Mickey 17 prepares to make its mark on the cinematic landscape, one thing is clear—Bong Joon-ho has once again crafted an unforgettable journey that will leave audiences pondering long after the credits roll.

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Synopsis :
For Mickey, dying is a habit. For he is a consumable, volunteered to test the dangers to which humanity is subjected. In the event of death, he is regenerated with most of his memories. But what if Mickey 17 outlives Mickey 18?

Mickey 17
Written and directed by Bong Joon-ho
Based on Mickey7 by Edward Ashton
Produced by Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Bong Joon-ho, Dooho Choi
Starring  Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo
Cinematography : Darius Khondji
Edited by Yang Jin-mo
Music by Jung Jae-il
Production companies : Plan B Entertainment, Offscreen, Kate Street Picture Company
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Release dates : February 2025 (Berlinale), February 28, 2025 (South Korea), March 5, 2025 (France), March 7, 2025 (United States)
Running time : 137 minutes

Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville