Hong Sang-soo

Hong Sang-soo

Birth : 1960-10-25, Seoul, South Korea

History

Hong Sang-soo (born October 25, 1960) is a South Korean writer-director. He has directed 28 films as of 2022. Certain elements are commonly found in Hong's films. A typical Hong film highlights a theme of domestic realism with many of the scenes set on residential streets, cafes, hotels, schools, and in the stairwells of apartment buildings. Characters are seen walking around the city, drinking soju, and having sex. The main characters are often movie directors or actors, and scenes typically consist of a single shot, often beginning and ending with a camera zoom. The budgets for his movies average about $100,000. Hong is often spontaneous when shooting, delivering the day's scene on the morning of the shoot and frequently changing stories while on set. He rarely prepares scripts in advance. Hong's style has been compared to Eric Rohmer's, and it has even been argued that allusions to Rohmer's films appear in some films directed by Hong.

Profile

Hong Sang-soo
Hong Sang-soo
Hong Sang-soo

Movies

A Traveler's Needs
Original Music Composer
A French woman, who initially played a child's recorder in a park and faced financial struggles, eventually became a French teacher for two women, finding solace in lying down on rocks and relying on makkeolli for comfort.
A Traveler's Needs
Editor
A French woman, who initially played a child's recorder in a park and faced financial struggles, eventually became a French teacher for two women, finding solace in lying down on rocks and relying on makkeolli for comfort.
A Traveler's Needs
Cinematography
A French woman, who initially played a child's recorder in a park and faced financial struggles, eventually became a French teacher for two women, finding solace in lying down on rocks and relying on makkeolli for comfort.
A Traveler's Needs
Producer
A French woman, who initially played a child's recorder in a park and faced financial struggles, eventually became a French teacher for two women, finding solace in lying down on rocks and relying on makkeolli for comfort.
A Traveler's Needs
Writer
A French woman, who initially played a child's recorder in a park and faced financial struggles, eventually became a French teacher for two women, finding solace in lying down on rocks and relying on makkeolli for comfort.
A Traveler's Needs
Director
A French woman, who initially played a child's recorder in a park and faced financial struggles, eventually became a French teacher for two women, finding solace in lying down on rocks and relying on makkeolli for comfort.
In Our Day
Cinematography
A woman in 40's living at Friends home answers briefly and a man in 70's living alone, end up giving longer answers had visitor for lunch in front of their guests, coincidentally they both added hot pepper paste to their ramyun.
In Our Day
Music
A woman in 40's living at Friends home answers briefly and a man in 70's living alone, end up giving longer answers had visitor for lunch in front of their guests, coincidentally they both added hot pepper paste to their ramyun.
In Our Day
Editor
A woman in 40's living at Friends home answers briefly and a man in 70's living alone, end up giving longer answers had visitor for lunch in front of their guests, coincidentally they both added hot pepper paste to their ramyun.
In Our Day
Writer
A woman in 40's living at Friends home answers briefly and a man in 70's living alone, end up giving longer answers had visitor for lunch in front of their guests, coincidentally they both added hot pepper paste to their ramyun.
In Our Day
Director
A woman in 40's living at Friends home answers briefly and a man in 70's living alone, end up giving longer answers had visitor for lunch in front of their guests, coincidentally they both added hot pepper paste to their ramyun.
in water
Executive Producer
A young man who previously focused on acting suddenly decides to test his creativity, setting out to direct a short film with his own money. Together with two former classmates he arrives on a large island known for its rocks and wind. Not sure what he wants to shoot, the young man goes out wandering here and there with the other two for the entire day. Then on the coast he sees a woman picking up trash on her own, and impressed by her volunteer effort, he has a short conversation with her. Finally, thanks to that meeting he is able to create a story…
in water
Music
A young man who previously focused on acting suddenly decides to test his creativity, setting out to direct a short film with his own money. Together with two former classmates he arrives on a large island known for its rocks and wind. Not sure what he wants to shoot, the young man goes out wandering here and there with the other two for the entire day. Then on the coast he sees a woman picking up trash on her own, and impressed by her volunteer effort, he has a short conversation with her. Finally, thanks to that meeting he is able to create a story…
in water
Director of Photography
A young man who previously focused on acting suddenly decides to test his creativity, setting out to direct a short film with his own money. Together with two former classmates he arrives on a large island known for its rocks and wind. Not sure what he wants to shoot, the young man goes out wandering here and there with the other two for the entire day. Then on the coast he sees a woman picking up trash on her own, and impressed by her volunteer effort, he has a short conversation with her. Finally, thanks to that meeting he is able to create a story…
in water
Screenplay
A young man who previously focused on acting suddenly decides to test his creativity, setting out to direct a short film with his own money. Together with two former classmates he arrives on a large island known for its rocks and wind. Not sure what he wants to shoot, the young man goes out wandering here and there with the other two for the entire day. Then on the coast he sees a woman picking up trash on her own, and impressed by her volunteer effort, he has a short conversation with her. Finally, thanks to that meeting he is able to create a story…
in water
Editor
A young man who previously focused on acting suddenly decides to test his creativity, setting out to direct a short film with his own money. Together with two former classmates he arrives on a large island known for its rocks and wind. Not sure what he wants to shoot, the young man goes out wandering here and there with the other two for the entire day. Then on the coast he sees a woman picking up trash on her own, and impressed by her volunteer effort, he has a short conversation with her. Finally, thanks to that meeting he is able to create a story…
in water
Producer
A young man who previously focused on acting suddenly decides to test his creativity, setting out to direct a short film with his own money. Together with two former classmates he arrives on a large island known for its rocks and wind. Not sure what he wants to shoot, the young man goes out wandering here and there with the other two for the entire day. Then on the coast he sees a woman picking up trash on her own, and impressed by her volunteer effort, he has a short conversation with her. Finally, thanks to that meeting he is able to create a story…
in water
Director
A young man who previously focused on acting suddenly decides to test his creativity, setting out to direct a short film with his own money. Together with two former classmates he arrives on a large island known for its rocks and wind. Not sure what he wants to shoot, the young man goes out wandering here and there with the other two for the entire day. Then on the coast he sees a woman picking up trash on her own, and impressed by her volunteer effort, he has a short conversation with her. Finally, thanks to that meeting he is able to create a story…
Walk Up
Producer
A middle-aged film director and the daughter he hasn't seen in years visit a building owned by an interior designer. They have come because the daughter also hopes to study interior design. The designer takes them up floor by floor to show them the renovations she has done. The three of them go into the rooms on each floor to look around. After the film begins in this way, we start again at the bottom and ascend one floor at a time.
Walk Up
Executive Producer
A middle-aged film director and the daughter he hasn't seen in years visit a building owned by an interior designer. They have come because the daughter also hopes to study interior design. The designer takes them up floor by floor to show them the renovations she has done. The three of them go into the rooms on each floor to look around. After the film begins in this way, we start again at the bottom and ascend one floor at a time.
Walk Up
Original Music Composer
A middle-aged film director and the daughter he hasn't seen in years visit a building owned by an interior designer. They have come because the daughter also hopes to study interior design. The designer takes them up floor by floor to show them the renovations she has done. The three of them go into the rooms on each floor to look around. After the film begins in this way, we start again at the bottom and ascend one floor at a time.
Walk Up
Editor
A middle-aged film director and the daughter he hasn't seen in years visit a building owned by an interior designer. They have come because the daughter also hopes to study interior design. The designer takes them up floor by floor to show them the renovations she has done. The three of them go into the rooms on each floor to look around. After the film begins in this way, we start again at the bottom and ascend one floor at a time.
Walk Up
Director of Photography
A middle-aged film director and the daughter he hasn't seen in years visit a building owned by an interior designer. They have come because the daughter also hopes to study interior design. The designer takes them up floor by floor to show them the renovations she has done. The three of them go into the rooms on each floor to look around. After the film begins in this way, we start again at the bottom and ascend one floor at a time.
Walk Up
Writer
A middle-aged film director and the daughter he hasn't seen in years visit a building owned by an interior designer. They have come because the daughter also hopes to study interior design. The designer takes them up floor by floor to show them the renovations she has done. The three of them go into the rooms on each floor to look around. After the film begins in this way, we start again at the bottom and ascend one floor at a time.
Walk Up
Director
A middle-aged film director and the daughter he hasn't seen in years visit a building owned by an interior designer. They have come because the daughter also hopes to study interior design. The designer takes them up floor by floor to show them the renovations she has done. The three of them go into the rooms on each floor to look around. After the film begins in this way, we start again at the bottom and ascend one floor at a time.
The Novelist's Film
Producer
A novelist visits a bookstore run by a young colleague who's been out of touch, then takes a walk with a film director and his wife. She meets an actress and tries to convince her to make a film together.
The Novelist's Film
Original Music Composer
A novelist visits a bookstore run by a young colleague who's been out of touch, then takes a walk with a film director and his wife. She meets an actress and tries to convince her to make a film together.
The Novelist's Film
Executive Producer
A novelist visits a bookstore run by a young colleague who's been out of touch, then takes a walk with a film director and his wife. She meets an actress and tries to convince her to make a film together.
The Novelist's Film
Editor
A novelist visits a bookstore run by a young colleague who's been out of touch, then takes a walk with a film director and his wife. She meets an actress and tries to convince her to make a film together.
The Novelist's Film
Director of Photography
A novelist visits a bookstore run by a young colleague who's been out of touch, then takes a walk with a film director and his wife. She meets an actress and tries to convince her to make a film together.
The Novelist's Film
Writer
A novelist visits a bookstore run by a young colleague who's been out of touch, then takes a walk with a film director and his wife. She meets an actress and tries to convince her to make a film together.
The Novelist's Film
Director
A novelist visits a bookstore run by a young colleague who's been out of touch, then takes a walk with a film director and his wife. She meets an actress and tries to convince her to make a film together.
In Front of Your Face
Executive Producer
A former actress with a secret returns to Seoul to visit her sister and meet with a director to discuss her return to acting.
In Front of Your Face
Producer
A former actress with a secret returns to Seoul to visit her sister and meet with a director to discuss her return to acting.
In Front of Your Face
Writer
A former actress with a secret returns to Seoul to visit her sister and meet with a director to discuss her return to acting.
In Front of Your Face
Music
A former actress with a secret returns to Seoul to visit her sister and meet with a director to discuss her return to acting.
In Front of Your Face
Editor
A former actress with a secret returns to Seoul to visit her sister and meet with a director to discuss her return to acting.
In Front of Your Face
Director of Photography
A former actress with a secret returns to Seoul to visit her sister and meet with a director to discuss her return to acting.
In Front of Your Face
Director
A former actress with a secret returns to Seoul to visit her sister and meet with a director to discuss her return to acting.
Letter to the New York Film Festival
Director
Hong Sangsoo's short film made for the 59th edition of the New York Film Festival.
Introduction
Executive Producer
Youngho goes to see his father who is tending to a famous patient. He surprises his girlfriend, Juwon, in Berlin where she is studying fashion design. He goes to a seaside hotel to meet his mother and brings his friend Jeongsoo with him. In each instance, he anticipates an important conversation. But sometimes a shared look, or a shared smoke, can mean as much as anything we could say to those close to us.
Introduction
Original Music Composer
Youngho goes to see his father who is tending to a famous patient. He surprises his girlfriend, Juwon, in Berlin where she is studying fashion design. He goes to a seaside hotel to meet his mother and brings his friend Jeongsoo with him. In each instance, he anticipates an important conversation. But sometimes a shared look, or a shared smoke, can mean as much as anything we could say to those close to us.
Introduction
Producer
Youngho goes to see his father who is tending to a famous patient. He surprises his girlfriend, Juwon, in Berlin where she is studying fashion design. He goes to a seaside hotel to meet his mother and brings his friend Jeongsoo with him. In each instance, he anticipates an important conversation. But sometimes a shared look, or a shared smoke, can mean as much as anything we could say to those close to us.
Introduction
Director of Photography
Youngho goes to see his father who is tending to a famous patient. He surprises his girlfriend, Juwon, in Berlin where she is studying fashion design. He goes to a seaside hotel to meet his mother and brings his friend Jeongsoo with him. In each instance, he anticipates an important conversation. But sometimes a shared look, or a shared smoke, can mean as much as anything we could say to those close to us.
Introduction
Editor
Youngho goes to see his father who is tending to a famous patient. He surprises his girlfriend, Juwon, in Berlin where she is studying fashion design. He goes to a seaside hotel to meet his mother and brings his friend Jeongsoo with him. In each instance, he anticipates an important conversation. But sometimes a shared look, or a shared smoke, can mean as much as anything we could say to those close to us.
Introduction
Writer
Youngho goes to see his father who is tending to a famous patient. He surprises his girlfriend, Juwon, in Berlin where she is studying fashion design. He goes to a seaside hotel to meet his mother and brings his friend Jeongsoo with him. In each instance, he anticipates an important conversation. But sometimes a shared look, or a shared smoke, can mean as much as anything we could say to those close to us.
Introduction
Director
Youngho goes to see his father who is tending to a famous patient. He surprises his girlfriend, Juwon, in Berlin where she is studying fashion design. He goes to a seaside hotel to meet his mother and brings his friend Jeongsoo with him. In each instance, he anticipates an important conversation. But sometimes a shared look, or a shared smoke, can mean as much as anything we could say to those close to us.
Hong Sangsoo – Winner of the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay
Writer
A short film about the award ceremony at Berlinale '21 and then also about a snail.
Hong Sangsoo – Winner of the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay
Narrator (Voice)
A short film about the award ceremony at Berlinale '21 and then also about a snail.
Hong Sangsoo – Winner of the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay
Director
A short film about the award ceremony at Berlinale '21 and then also about a snail.
The Woman Who Ran
Producer
While her husband is on a business trip, Gamhee meets three of her friends on the outskirts of Seoul. They make friendly conversation, as always, but there are different currents flowing independently of each other, both above and below the surface.
The Woman Who Ran
Original Music Composer
While her husband is on a business trip, Gamhee meets three of her friends on the outskirts of Seoul. They make friendly conversation, as always, but there are different currents flowing independently of each other, both above and below the surface.
The Woman Who Ran
Editor
While her husband is on a business trip, Gamhee meets three of her friends on the outskirts of Seoul. They make friendly conversation, as always, but there are different currents flowing independently of each other, both above and below the surface.
The Woman Who Ran
Writer
While her husband is on a business trip, Gamhee meets three of her friends on the outskirts of Seoul. They make friendly conversation, as always, but there are different currents flowing independently of each other, both above and below the surface.
The Woman Who Ran
Director
While her husband is on a business trip, Gamhee meets three of her friends on the outskirts of Seoul. They make friendly conversation, as always, but there are different currents flowing independently of each other, both above and below the surface.
Hotel by the River
Producer
An aging poet, Younghwan, summons his two estranged sons to a solitary hotel beside the Han River because he feels his death is near. While waiting for them to arrive, he meets two women out walking in the new-fallen snow and is struck by their angelic beauty. But the women have come to the hotel to do some healing of their own.
Hotel by the River
Writer
An aging poet, Younghwan, summons his two estranged sons to a solitary hotel beside the Han River because he feels his death is near. While waiting for them to arrive, he meets two women out walking in the new-fallen snow and is struck by their angelic beauty. But the women have come to the hotel to do some healing of their own.
Hotel by the River
Director
An aging poet, Younghwan, summons his two estranged sons to a solitary hotel beside the Han River because he feels his death is near. While waiting for them to arrive, he meets two women out walking in the new-fallen snow and is struck by their angelic beauty. But the women have come to the hotel to do some healing of their own.
Grass
Producer
Areum sits in a small café, typing on her laptop. Around her, customers enact various dramas from their lives. Is she writing what she hears or is she hearing what’s been written?
Grass
Writer
Areum sits in a small café, typing on her laptop. Around her, customers enact various dramas from their lives. Is she writing what she hears or is she hearing what’s been written?
Grass
Director
Areum sits in a small café, typing on her laptop. Around her, customers enact various dramas from their lives. Is she writing what she hears or is she hearing what’s been written?
Claire's Camera
Producer
Claire, a school teacher with a camera is on her first visit to Cannes. She happens upon a film sales assistant, Manhee, recently laid off after a one-night stand with a film director. Together, this unlikely pair become detectives of sorts, as they wander around the seaside resort town, working to better understand the circumstances of Manhee's firing.
Claire's Camera
Writer
Claire, a school teacher with a camera is on her first visit to Cannes. She happens upon a film sales assistant, Manhee, recently laid off after a one-night stand with a film director. Together, this unlikely pair become detectives of sorts, as they wander around the seaside resort town, working to better understand the circumstances of Manhee's firing.
Claire's Camera
Director
Claire, a school teacher with a camera is on her first visit to Cannes. She happens upon a film sales assistant, Manhee, recently laid off after a one-night stand with a film director. Together, this unlikely pair become detectives of sorts, as they wander around the seaside resort town, working to better understand the circumstances of Manhee's firing.
The Day After
Writer
On her first day at work, Areum replaces a woman who broke up with the boss. The wife of the boss finds a love note, bursts into the office, and mistakes Areum for the other woman.
The Day After
Director
On her first day at work, Areum replaces a woman who broke up with the boss. The wife of the boss finds a love note, bursts into the office, and mistakes Areum for the other woman.
On the Beach at Night Alone
Producer
Younghee, an actress reeling in the aftermath of an affair with a married film director, escapes to Hamburg. But when she returns to Korea and meets with friends for drinks, startling confessions emerge.
On the Beach at Night Alone
Writer
Younghee, an actress reeling in the aftermath of an affair with a married film director, escapes to Hamburg. But when she returns to Korea and meets with friends for drinks, startling confessions emerge.
On the Beach at Night Alone
Director
Younghee, an actress reeling in the aftermath of an affair with a married film director, escapes to Hamburg. But when she returns to Korea and meets with friends for drinks, startling confessions emerge.
Yourself and Yours
Producer
Youngsoo hears that his girlfriend, Minjung, has recently had drinks with another man. This leads to a quarrel that seems to end their relationship. The next day, Youngsoo tries to find her. As he wanders, Minjung has a series of encounters with other men. But to them it seems she’s not herself.
Yourself and Yours
Writer
Youngsoo hears that his girlfriend, Minjung, has recently had drinks with another man. This leads to a quarrel that seems to end their relationship. The next day, Youngsoo tries to find her. As he wanders, Minjung has a series of encounters with other men. But to them it seems she’s not herself.
Yourself and Yours
Director
Youngsoo hears that his girlfriend, Minjung, has recently had drinks with another man. This leads to a quarrel that seems to end their relationship. The next day, Youngsoo tries to find her. As he wanders, Minjung has a series of encounters with other men. But to them it seems she’s not herself.
Right Now, Wrong Then
Writer
Chun-Soo arrives in Suwon one day earlier than scheduled. He has a special lecture to give the next day. Chun-Soo decides to visit a palace and meets Hee-Jung there. Hee-Jung is a painter and she lets Chun-Soo see her workroom with her paintings. In the evening, they go out eat and drink together. There, Chun-Soo reveals something unexpected to Hee-Jung.
Right Now, Wrong Then
Director
Chun-Soo arrives in Suwon one day earlier than scheduled. He has a special lecture to give the next day. Chun-Soo decides to visit a palace and meets Hee-Jung there. Hee-Jung is a painter and she lets Chun-Soo see her workroom with her paintings. In the evening, they go out eat and drink together. There, Chun-Soo reveals something unexpected to Hee-Jung.
Hill of Freedom
Producer
Kwon returns to Seoul from a restorative stay in the mountains. She is given a packet of letters left by Mori, who has come back from Japan to propose to her. Kwon drops and scatters the letters, all of which are undated. When she reads them, she has to make sense of the chronology.
Hill of Freedom
Writer
Kwon returns to Seoul from a restorative stay in the mountains. She is given a packet of letters left by Mori, who has come back from Japan to propose to her. Kwon drops and scatters the letters, all of which are undated. When she reads them, she has to make sense of the chronology.
Hill of Freedom
Director
Kwon returns to Seoul from a restorative stay in the mountains. She is given a packet of letters left by Mori, who has come back from Japan to propose to her. Kwon drops and scatters the letters, all of which are undated. When she reads them, she has to make sense of the chronology.
50:50
Director
A short film made for Venezia 70 – Future Reloaded (2013).
Our Sunhi
Producer
A young woman returning to her old school to visit her professor also runs into her old boyfriend and her senior, each of whom has a past with her.
Our Sunhi
Writer
A young woman returning to her old school to visit her professor also runs into her old boyfriend and her senior, each of whom has a past with her.
Our Sunhi
Director
A young woman returning to her old school to visit her professor also runs into her old boyfriend and her senior, each of whom has a past with her.
Venice 70: Future Reloaded
Director
Made for the Venice Film Festival's 70th anniversary, seventy filmmakers made a short film between 60 and 90 seconds long on their interpretation of the future of cinema.
Nobody's Daughter Haewon
Producer
Haewon, a film student and aspiring actress, feels abandoned. Her mother is about to emigrate to Canada and Haewon has decided to end her affair with one of her professors, a much older married man.
Nobody's Daughter Haewon
Writer
Haewon, a film student and aspiring actress, feels abandoned. Her mother is about to emigrate to Canada and Haewon has decided to end her affair with one of her professors, a much older married man.
Nobody's Daughter Haewon
Director
Haewon, a film student and aspiring actress, feels abandoned. Her mother is about to emigrate to Canada and Haewon has decided to end her affair with one of her professors, a much older married man.
Tony Rayns, the Not-So-Distant Observer
Himself
Prominent film critic Tony Rayns has long been a supporter of Korean cinema. This film illustrates Rayns’ affection for Korean cinema through interviews of Korean cineastes that have a special affinity for him, including JANG Sun-woo, LEE Chang-dong and HONG Sang-soo among others.
In Another Country
Producer
In a triptych of overlapping stories, three different French women – a filmmaker, an adulterer and a divorcee visit a small Korean resort town and encounter a flirtatious director, a lovestruck lifeguard and far too much soju.
In Another Country
Screenplay
In a triptych of overlapping stories, three different French women – a filmmaker, an adulterer and a divorcee visit a small Korean resort town and encounter a flirtatious director, a lovestruck lifeguard and far too much soju.
In Another Country
Director
In a triptych of overlapping stories, three different French women – a filmmaker, an adulterer and a divorcee visit a small Korean resort town and encounter a flirtatious director, a lovestruck lifeguard and far too much soju.
List
Writer
Over a slice of chocolate cake, a mother and daughter tensely discuss the good-for-nothing relative whose money troubles have brought them to the seaside town of Mohang. For now they have nothing to do but wait, so the younger woman, Mihye, composes a list of goals for her involuntary vacation — a list which she seems to fulfill almost accidentally, as she and her mother wander, eat, drink, and meet with fate, here in the form of a clumsily flirtatious film director.
List
Director
Over a slice of chocolate cake, a mother and daughter tensely discuss the good-for-nothing relative whose money troubles have brought them to the seaside town of Mohang. For now they have nothing to do but wait, so the younger woman, Mihye, composes a list of goals for her involuntary vacation — a list which she seems to fulfill almost accidentally, as she and her mother wander, eat, drink, and meet with fate, here in the form of a clumsily flirtatious film director.
The Day He Arrives
Producer
A film director who no longer makes films, Seongjun arrives in Seoul to meet a close friend. When the friend doesn’t show up, Seongjun wanders the city aimlessly for three days, grabbing drinks and meeting women, with each day playing out like a version of the last.
The Day He Arrives
Writer
A film director who no longer makes films, Seongjun arrives in Seoul to meet a close friend. When the friend doesn’t show up, Seongjun wanders the city aimlessly for three days, grabbing drinks and meeting women, with each day playing out like a version of the last.
The Day He Arrives
Director
A film director who no longer makes films, Seongjun arrives in Seoul to meet a close friend. When the friend doesn’t show up, Seongjun wanders the city aimlessly for three days, grabbing drinks and meeting women, with each day playing out like a version of the last.
Oki's Movie
Producer
Oki, a film student, is entangled in two relationships. One with a fellow student who pursues her and the other, her much older professor.
Oki's Movie
Screenplay
Oki, a film student, is entangled in two relationships. One with a fellow student who pursues her and the other, her much older professor.
Oki's Movie
Director
Oki, a film student, is entangled in two relationships. One with a fellow student who pursues her and the other, her much older professor.
Ha Ha Ha
Writer
Over drinks, two friends agree to swap fond memories of their recent trips to the same seaside town. As the stories unfold in flashback, it becomes evident their accounts take place at the same time and with the same people.
Ha Ha Ha
Director
Over drinks, two friends agree to swap fond memories of their recent trips to the same seaside town. As the stories unfold in flashback, it becomes evident their accounts take place at the same time and with the same people.
Visitors
Director
Hong Sang-Soo’s Lost in the Mountains (South Korea, 32min) the visitor is the supremely self-centred Mi-Sook, who drives to Jeonju on impulse to see her classmate Jin-Young – only to discover that her friend is having an affair with their married professor, who Mi-Sook once dated herself. The level of social embarrassment goes off the scale. In Naomi Kawase’s Koma (Japan, 34min), Kang Jun-Il travels to a village in rural Japan to honour his grandfather’s dying wish by returning a Buddhist scroll to its ancestral home. Amid ancient superstitions, a new relationship forms. And in Lav Diaz’ Butterflies Have No Memories (Philippines, 42min) ‘homecoming queen’ Carol returns to the economically depressed former mining town she came from – and becomes the target of an absurd kidnapping plot hatched by resentful locals. Serving as his own writer, cameraman and editor, Diaz casts the film entirely from members of his crew and delivers a well-seasoned mix of social realism and fantasy. —bfi
Lost in the Mountains
Writer
Hong Sang-soo’s Lost in the Mountains depicts Misook’s suffering when she discovers her friend Jin-Young has been secretly sleeping with her lover.
Lost in the Mountains
Director
Hong Sang-soo’s Lost in the Mountains depicts Misook’s suffering when she discovers her friend Jin-Young has been secretly sleeping with her lover.
Like You Know It All
Writer
Delightfully comic exploration of the emotional and social geography of an art-house film director.
Like You Know It All
Director
Delightfully comic exploration of the emotional and social geography of an art-house film director.
Night and Day
Writer
Kim Seong-nam travels to Paris to escape an arrest, leaving his wife behind in Korea. After he arrives, he meets an ex-girlfriend and is introduced to a small community of Korean artists.
Night and Day
Director
Kim Seong-nam travels to Paris to escape an arrest, leaving his wife behind in Korea. After he arrives, he meets an ex-girlfriend and is introduced to a small community of Korean artists.
Woman on the Beach
Writer
Stymied by writer's block while crafting his latest script, director Kim Jung-rae persuades his friend Won Chang-wook to drive him to a beach resort where he promptly becomes involved with Chang-wook's girlfriend. Abandoning her and taking up with another woman, Jung-rae winds up creating enough drama to inspire his writing.
Woman on the Beach
Director
Stymied by writer's block while crafting his latest script, director Kim Jung-rae persuades his friend Won Chang-wook to drive him to a beach resort where he promptly becomes involved with Chang-wook's girlfriend. Abandoning her and taking up with another woman, Jung-rae winds up creating enough drama to inspire his writing.
The Nine Lives of Korean Cinema
Himself
South Korean cinema is in the throes of a creative explosion where mavericks are encouraged and masters are venerated. But from where has this phenomenon emerged? What is the culture that has yielded this range of filmmakers? With The Nine Lives of Korean Cinema, French critic, writer and documentarian Hubert Niogret provides a broad overview but, nevertheless, an excellent entry point into this unique type of national cinema that still remains a mystery for many people. The product of a troubled social and political history, Korean cinema sports an identity that is unique in much modern film. Niogret's documentary tells of the country's cinematic history - the ups along with the downs - and gives further voice to the artists striving to express their concerns, fears and aspirations.
Tale of Cinema
Writer
In Seoul, a suicidal student meets a young woman who decides to join him in his fatal gesture. Tongsu, an unsuccessful filmmaker, spots a beautiful young woman, who happens to be the lead actress in the film he has just seen. Their stories will cross paths thanks to their love for cinema.
Tale of Cinema
Director
In Seoul, a suicidal student meets a young woman who decides to join him in his fatal gesture. Tongsu, an unsuccessful filmmaker, spots a beautiful young woman, who happens to be the lead actress in the film he has just seen. Their stories will cross paths thanks to their love for cinema.
Woman Is the Future of Man
Writer
As the first snow falls in Seoul, two old friends reunite; one is a successful college professor, and the other, a struggling filmmaker recently returned from the United States. After their reminiscences, they finally decide to go in search of the young woman each had romanced years earlier.
Woman Is the Future of Man
Director
As the first snow falls in Seoul, two old friends reunite; one is a successful college professor, and the other, a struggling filmmaker recently returned from the United States. After their reminiscences, they finally decide to go in search of the young woman each had romanced years earlier.
On the Occasion of Remembering the Turning Gate
Writer
Actor Gyung-soo is passed over and decides to leave Seoul and visit a friend. His friend tells him that the Turning Gate legend foreshadows future events. During his visit, Gyung-soo meets Myung-sook, who quickly falls for him. After a night of passion, he boards the train back to Seoul and meets a married woman who claims to know him. Gyung-soo thinks he may love her, but perhaps he’s chosen the wrong woman.
On the Occasion of Remembering the Turning Gate
Director
Actor Gyung-soo is passed over and decides to leave Seoul and visit a friend. His friend tells him that the Turning Gate legend foreshadows future events. During his visit, Gyung-soo meets Myung-sook, who quickly falls for him. After a night of passion, he boards the train back to Seoul and meets a married woman who claims to know him. Gyung-soo thinks he may love her, but perhaps he’s chosen the wrong woman.
Virgin Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors
Writer
When filmmaker Young-soo introduces writer Soo-jung to his friend Jae-hoon, he unintentionally creates a love triangle. While Jae-hoon pursues Soo-jung, Young-soo clashes with his crew. Yet, just as the story appears to end, it starts all over again, this time with plenty of variations.
Virgin Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors
Director
When filmmaker Young-soo introduces writer Soo-jung to his friend Jae-hoon, he unintentionally creates a love triangle. While Jae-hoon pursues Soo-jung, Young-soo clashes with his crew. Yet, just as the story appears to end, it starts all over again, this time with plenty of variations.
The Power of Kangwon Province
Writer
After a breakup, a young woman goes to a mountain resort on vacation and falls for a married policeman. Unbeknownst to her, her ex is also vacationing there.
The Power of Kangwon Province
Director
After a breakup, a young woman goes to a mountain resort on vacation and falls for a married policeman. Unbeknownst to her, her ex is also vacationing there.
The Day a Pig Fell Into the Well
Adaptation
A novelist has an affair with two women, finding fulfillment in neither; a married businessman strays from his wife he can't satisfy; a naive young woman surrenders her dignity for her lover; and a married woman tries to find solace in a frustrating affair.
The Day a Pig Fell Into the Well
Director
A novelist has an affair with two women, finding fulfillment in neither; a married businessman strays from his wife he can't satisfy; a naive young woman surrenders her dignity for her lover; and a married woman tries to find solace in a frustrating affair.