WOMAN ON THE BEACH
A film by Hong Sang-soo
2006, 127 minutes
2006, 127 minutes
No. 264
Narrative
Narrative
Description
Filmmaker Joong-rae, suffering from writer’s block, takes a trip to the coast with his production designer Chang-wook, who brings along the vivacious Moon-sook. Soon after their arrival, Moon-sook falls for Joong-rae’s advances; however, the fickle hero can’t commit and he awkwardly parts with her. What had been a sardonic Jules and Jim turns into a burlesque Vertigo when Joong-rae returns to the coastal resort and attempts to recreate the original romance with a woman who resembles Moon-sook, until his jilted lover shows up…
A new 4K restoration completed by the Korean Film Archive from the original 35mm negative.
A new 4K restoration completed by the Korean Film Archive from the original 35mm negative.
Reviews
"Reminiscent of Godard's Contempt, but writer-director Hong Sang-soo — South Korea's foremost chronicler of romantic maneuvering — is more aptly compared to Eric Rohmer for his subtle comedy." - J.R. Jones, Chicago Reader
"A cinematic tightrope artist: he’s a director whose films walk the fine line between the heaven and hell of the quotidian." - Chris Chang, Film Comment
“A wicked comedy of manners.” - A.O. Scott, The New York Times
“A bittersweet accounting of the geography of desire... Wry and tender and delicately melancholic... shows a newly confident filmmaker again working near the top of his form.” -Manohla Dargis, The New York Times
“A wonderful, serious-minded romantic comedy-drama. Perhaps the greatest achievement lies in its rhythms, the way it beautifully captures the natural flow of ongoing conversation.” - Todd McCarthy, Variety
