Our Sunhi(Uri Seonhui)

A dryly comic and acutely observed take on men’s selfish possessiveness, this witty comedy cleverly weaves another iteration of a woman’s journey toward self-discovery, a recurring theme in Hong’s later works. Returning to her alma mater to request a recommendation letter, Sunhi inadvertently ignites romantic longings in three men from her past. Without realising it, the trio pursues her in their own orbit, proffering life lessons and career advice that invariably come across as more self-serving than magnanimous. While the male gaze shapes how the audience perceives Sunhi, the heroine rediscovers herself by refusing to be defined – a brilliant and graceful counteraction.

Locarno Film Festival: Best Director