'Hongsangsu's World' Succeeds Again in Berlin

Feature Film 'Soseolgaui Yeonghwa' Wins Jury Grand Prize... Fourth Silver Bear
Expressing Thoughts with Basic Units to Reflect Our Present
"I Like Observing Small Details That Function as Major Elements"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Director Hong Sangsoo's twenty-seventh feature film, The Novelist’s Film, tells the story of novelist Junhee visiting the bookstore of a missing junior colleague. The film is intricately crafted through scenes such as climbing a tower alone, meeting a filmmaker couple, and persuading an actress met in a park to make a movie.

Director Hong presents seemingly mundane daily life in rhythm with the flow of life. Using only the basic elements of film, he conveys various reflections and points to our present. Each small moment invites deep contemplation, guiding viewers to precious moments of insight.

His body of work, which proves his current state, once again shook the Berlin International Film Festival. On the 16th (local time), at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival awards ceremony, Hong received the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize for The Novelist’s Film. Following the Best Director Award for The Woman Who Ran (2019) in 2020 and the Best Screenplay Award for Introduction (2021) last year, this marks his third consecutive year of winning and his fourth Silver Bear overall. The Grand Jury Prize is the second most prestigious award after the Golden Bear for Best Film.

Director Hong said, "I really did not expect this. I was so surprised." Kim Minhee, who also served as lead actress and production manager, stood before the microphone introduced by Hong and said, "I felt that the audience truly loved the film during today's screening."

Director Hong has a particularly strong connection with the Berlin Film Festival. This is his sixth time competing in the main competition. Films such as Night and Day (2008), Our Sunhi (2013), On the Beach at Night Alone (2017), The Woman Who Ran, and Introduction have stood shoulder to shoulder with world-renowned works. Hong lifted trophies for two consecutive years until last year, and Kim Minhee won the Silver Bear for Best Actress for On the Beach at Night Alone.

Carlo Chatrian, the artistic director of the Berlin Film Festival, described Hong, a regular guest, as "showing the most consistent and innovative storytelling in contemporary cinema." At the press conference, Hong explained, "I just like to look at small details that function as big elements," adding, "Is there a really tiny difference in texture that people can perceive? That’s what I wanted to see."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The film was shot in black and white over two weeks starting in March last year on the outskirts of Seoul. Director Hong took charge of directing, writing, cinematography, editing, and music.

The lead role was entrusted to Lee Hye-young, who previously worked with Hong in In Front of Your Face (2021). She is the daughter of the late director Lee Man-hee, known for directing Late Autumn (1966), Break the Chain (1971), and The Road to Sampo (1975). Hong said, "Casting might be the most important part of making a film for me," explaining, "On the first day of meeting an actor, I get a certain impression, and key ideas emerge."

Meanwhile, the highest honor, the Golden Bear, was awarded to Spanish female director Carla Sim?n for Alcarr?s. The Best Director Award went to Claire Denis for Both Sides of the Blade, and the combined Best Actor Award was given to Meltem Kaptan for Rabiye Kurnaz vs. George W. Bush.