Tale of Cinema(Geuk jang jeon)

Life isn’t a movie. But when a young, idling filmmaker watches a short film created by his dying friend, it becomes a fantasy that inspires his real life. A chance encounter with his old flame leads to a drunken night of abortive sex, during which he proposes a suicide pact. Featuring a film-with-a-film structure, this movie about a filmmaker’s frustration and disillusionment brings to the fore trademarks of Hong’s distinct style – the active zoom shot, abrupt shifts between fantasy and reality, and sex scenes that appear out of the blue. Exploring the act of watching and interpreting movies, it’s even more about miswatching and misinterpreting them – the same goes for relationships.

Cannes Film Festival: In Competition

23/8 (Sun): Seminar with Derek Lam and Joyce Yang