Monday, December 10, 2012

In Another Country (2012)

In Another Country • 다른 나라에서 (2012)
In Another Country • 다른 나라에서 (2012)
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Director: Hong Sang-soo
Starring: Isabelle Huppert,
Language: Korean, English, French
Duration: 89 min.
Rating: 7.5
Summary:
Three stories, centered in a seaside resort town, involving three different women named Anne.
In Another Country is a film written and directed by Hong Sang-soo. It is his thirteenth feature film, and it premiered in competition at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.

It's a strange yet enchanting film, loosely framed around a young student (Jung Yoo-mi), and her mother (Yoon Yeo-jeong), hiding out from a dire situation at Mohang Beach; a tiny seaside resort situated along the west-coast of South Korea. To pass the time, the girl begins writing a script, using the local people and places, and a foreign actress she recently saw at a festival, as inspiration. What follows is three separate scenarios centered on three different French tourists named Anne (all played beautifully by Isabelle Huppert).

In Another Country • 다른 나라에서 (2012)

Repetition and cyclical storytelling is a main feature of Hong's films. So much so that he's been accused of making the same film over and over again throughout his career. This one is no different, but it takes those usual traits and adds to it the radiant and refreshing presence of Isabelle Huppert. Resulting in a sly and playful comedy with flashes of romance, and plenty of awkward moments and miscommunication.

Even if some of the characters are miserable types, and it's in the middle of the rainy season, you can tell right away that everyone involved is having great fun. Huppert is a joy to watch here as always, switching effortlessly between her three roles, but the rest of the cast are just as pleasant, especially the extra friendly lifeguard (played by Yu Jun-sang), a bit of a bumbling fool but a likeable and charming one.

In Another Country • 다른 나라에서 (2012)

The film takes awhile to get its hooks into you. At first, none of the characters have any true depth, and none of the situations have any real gravity to them, as if the whole thing is a long clumsy skit. But, as each scenario unfolds, the disparate pieces begin to take shape and the mesmerizing rhythm of Hong's steady direction takes hold.

No, it doesn't quite turn into an amazingly profound film, but I really don't think that's what Hong was aiming for, instead he succeeds in delivering a highly enjoyable and frequently hilarious experience that grows better with each segment. A nice little getaway.
Bonjour Tristesse
In Another Country • 다른 나라에서 (2012)

In Another Country • 다른 나라에서 (2012)

In Another Country • 다른 나라에서 (2012)

In Another Country • 다른 나라에서 (2012)

In Another Country • 다른 나라에서 (2012)

In Another Country • 다른 나라에서 (2012)

In Another Country • 다른 나라에서 (2012)
You can watch a large selection of foreign language movies at http://www.lovefilm.com/. Why not sign up for a free trial today.

7 comments:

Michaël Parent said...

Looks like an Asian Alain Resnais film... Like almost experimental with the multiple story structures.

Mette said...

What you said about the director reminded me of Woody Allen... who I don't think makes the same movie all the time, by the way.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Yeah, he has a very French inspired style. I see a lot of Eric Rohmer's Six Moral Tales in his work too.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Yeah I don't necessarily think that either. He just has a distinctive style of storytelling that he always uses. Thanks for the visit Mette.

filmnohito said...

I'm used to seeing Isabelle Huppert in serious dramas but this one looks very interesting plus it's set in Korea which is also cool. I think I'd like to start watching Hong Sang-soo films with this one.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Me too. But she seems willing to try anything these days, and that's pretty cool to see.

d_4 said...

The trailer and your review are sending mixed signals. I might check this out if it makes itself easy for me..

Post a Comment