La Romancière, the film and happy coincidence: a great Hong Sang-soo [critique]

The latest from the South Korean filmmaker, a gentle wandering in black and white in the suburbs of Seoul. Admirable.

Junhee, an ageless woman and well-known novelist, walks through the quiet suburban neighborhoods of Seoul. Square cut, ascetic face and patterned neckerchief. It goes from a bookstore to a park, from a friendly smile to a dark room. Look at a sky, a passerby, a river, flowing water. Lingers with an old acquaintance. Recall some happy memories. Meet a director and his wife, a film student, a poet. Then begins to make a film with a young actress.

With La Romancière, the film and happy coincidence (Grand Jury Prize at the Berlinale in February 2022), the prolific South Korean filmmaker Hong Sang-soo pursues his minimalist and masterful work, within the confines of feelings and chance encounters. Once again, the director creates a tenuous plot, focused on a few hero characters, and chooses still, uncluttered, black and white shots. His feature films resemble each other (or even repeat themselves) to better differentiate themselves. Here he celebrates admiration. Each admires the other. And told him spontaneously. “I have read all about you », « you are charismatic “, we hear. Some compliments ring false, complacent, reveal latent (cinematic?) rivalries. Others take the characters to sisterly encounters and wild dreams. Final lesson from the great Korean master: it is better to admire than to be admired. The first makes wonder possible, while the second seems to hamper and encumber the mind. Or variant: it is better to watch than to be watched.

Of Hong Sang-Soo. With Hye-yeong Lee, Kim Min-Hee, Young-hwa Seo.., Duration: 1h33. Released February 15, 2023