So-seol-ga-ui yeong-hwa

There is hardly a film by Hong Sang-soo, in which the protagonists do not at some point gather around a table with bottles of the Korean national drink soju, more or less celebrating. Lively conversations take their course, people get closer, clash with each other. A similar setting can be found in THE NOVELIST'S FILM... Former friends, between whom old conflicts smolder, and new acquaintances, who take an immediate liking to each other, meet in a bookstore. The conversation revolves around writing, talent, writer's block, and new projects. With the exception of one sequence, Hong Sang-soo keeps his film in black and white, alternating between sharp contrast and overexposed whites, like his characters: sometimes direct, sometimes opaque, always fascinating. A tribute to chance, connection, and honesty. (mg)