March 18, 2007

On Hong Sang-soo.

Turning Gate "I feel a need to emphasize that Hong [Sang-soo]'s films are not intended to represent the real world. They are conscious constructions," writes Adam Hartzell in an appreciation at the main site. "As he's said, 'I make films based on structures I thought up.' Still, the scenarios can surely be applied to our realities.... Hong's films are not pleasurable in the sense we feel good watching these characters fuck-up. They are pleasurable in the sense that they get us to mull over their missed opportunities."

A Hong Sang-soo retrospective is running at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival through March 25.

Update: Brian Darr on the retrospective and many other goings on in the Bay Area; plus a SFIAAFF preview.

Update, 3/22: Scott Foundas in the LA Weekly: "After screening to enormous acclaim at last year's Toronto and New York film festivals and tying for second place in the Best Undistributed Films category of the Weekly's recent film critics' poll, Woman on the Beach receives its belated local premiere as part of a day-long retrospective of Hong's work organized by the Korean Film Council and the USC School of Cinema-Television."



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Posted by dwhudson at March 18, 2007 10:04 AM

Comments

Along with the welcome opportunity of familiarizing myself with Hong Sang-soo's ouevre, the SFIAAFF retrospective has provided the added pleasure of meeting Adam Hartzell and hearing him introduce the films. What an energetic and charismatic champion of Hong Sang-soo's films! It's always wonderful when an individual can provide such keen insight and a working handle to a filmmaker who is at turns difficult, frustrating, but ultimately distinct and worthwhile.

Posted by: Michael Guillen at March 19, 2007 10:30 AM

On the negative side, I've just been informed that tonight's screening of a Tale of Cinema has been cancelled due to non-arrival of the print. Rather disappointing, but having had the chance to see two Hong films I'd never seen before in the past 48 hours makes it go down a little easier.

Posted by: Brian at March 19, 2007 3:42 PM

There have been other Hong Sang-soo disappointments. For example, he canceled all interviews while in the Bay Area because he's trying to finalize a script. His two public appearances remain confirmed, however.

I was mollified by Taro Goto inviting me out to dinner with Hong Sang-soo after his Woman on the Beach appearance. He may not be willing to sit down and do a one-on-one but Taro and the publicists are hoping I might cull out a few conversational anecdotes.

I think I can do that.

Posted by: Michael Guillen at March 19, 2007 7:56 PM