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The Novelist's Film film image, director Hong Sangsoo

The Novelist's Film

So-seol-ga-ui yeong-hwa

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Canadian Premiere

Fresh from competing at the 72nd annual Berlin International Film Festival, audience favourite Hong Sangsoo returns to VIFF with his latest film.

Novelist Junhee (Lee Hyeyoung) is taking a break from writing, going on a daytrip to a small town to visit an old friend’s bookstore. Their reminiscing of years gone by turns into a discussion of a local public garden, one of the town’s must-see local attractions. It’s there on a leisurely stroll that Junhee has a chance encounter with a famous actress and a former colleague, a movie director. Suddenly, an aimless afternoon reignites an idea that Junhee has been ruminating for some time: what if she were to write and direct her own film?

Variety calls Hong Sangsoo’s 28th feature a “gently circuitous, conversation-driven charmer.” Shot almost entirely in black and white and featuring semi-improvised performances from a cast of Hong regulars, including Kim Minhee and Kwon Haehyo, The Novelist’s Film is an effortless and playful look at how a single day spent with friends, both old and new, can realign an artist’s purpose.

 

Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize, Berlin 2022

 

Media Partner

Director

Hong Sangsoo

Cast

Lee Hyeyoung, Kim Minhee, Seo Younghwa, Park Miso, Kwon Haehyo, Cho Yunhee

Credits
Country of Origin

South Korea

Year

2022

Language

In Korean with English subtitles

Film Contact
Links
18+
92 min
Award Winners Drama

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Credits

Executive Producer

Hong Sangsoo

Producer

Hong Sangsoo

Screenwriter

Hong Sangsoo

Cinematography

Hong Sangsoo

Editor

Hong Sangsoo

Original Music

Hong Sangsoo