Hong Sang-soo’s 34th feature film, “The Day She Comes Back,” premiered at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival.
On February 18, local time, Hong engaged with global audiences at the Berlin International Film Festival’s Panorama section, which screened “The Day She Comes Back.”
“The Day She Comes Back” is a black-and-white film depicting the day of actress Bae Jung-soo, who has resumed acting. The film features appearances by Song Seon-mi, Jo Yoon-hee, Park Mi-so, Ha Sung-kook, Shin Seok-ho, Kim Sun-jin, Oh Yoon-soo, and Kang So-i.
Kim Min-hee, who gave birth to Hong’s out-of-wedlock child last April, is credited as the production manager.
The Panorama section, an official category of the Berlin International Film Festival, invited “The Day She Comes Back.” This section showcases works with intense narratives and innovative formats, highlighting contemporary social issues and new cinematic trends.
Hong Sang-soo has received invitations to Berlin for seven consecutive years, with previous works including “The Woman Who Ran,” “Introduction,” “The Novelist’s Film,” “In Water,” “A Traveler’s Needs,” and “Walk Up.”
During a dialogue with the audience, Hong shared his filmmaking philosophy, stating, “One often needs motivations like fame or money to endure the tedious and lengthy process, but I have few of those motivations. It seems like the work of a painter who first has their subject.”
He also expressed, “Thinking, ‘I want to convey this message, this message is important, I want to make a very interesting movie, I will earn millions of dollars,’ is too boring.”
The Berlin International Film Festival runs until February 22. “The Day She Comes Back” is also scheduled for a domestic release in the first half of the year.
Image source: Jeon Won Sa Film Production & Content Panda, Yonhap News
