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Bamui haebyun-eoseo honja

On the Beach at Night Alone
Competition 2017
Kim Jinyoung © 2017 Jeonwonsa Film Co.
After an affair with a married man, celebrated actress Younghee decides to take some time out. She travels to the far-off, foreign city of Hamburg. In a conversation with a friend she asks herself if her lover will follow her and whether he misses her as much as she misses him. During her long walks through wintry parks and along riverbanks she attempts to become clear about her feelings and desires.
The question about the meaning of love in our lives is a common theme in all the films of Hong Sangsoo, and yet the answers to this question always appear to just slip from our grasp. Back in Korea, Younghee meets some old friends in the coastal town of Gangneung. They eat and drink together and, as is so often the case in Hong Sangsoo’s films, Korea’s national drink Soju plays an important part. Under the influence of alcohol Younghee provokes, insults and angers the others. Their conversations get more and more out of hand, giving vent to minor and major realisations and truths. Afterwards, Younghee withdraws to a deserted beach. It seems as if she can only truly find herself in nature.
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by Hong Sangsoo
with Kim Minhee, Seo Younghwa, Jung Jaeyoung, Moon Sungkeun, Kwon Haehyo, Song Seonmi, Ahn Jaehong, Park Yeaju South Korea 2017 Korean, English 101’ Colour

With

  • Kim Minhee (Younghee)
  • Seo Younghwa (Jeeyoung)
  • Jung Jaeyoung (Myungsoo)
  • Moon Sungkeun (Sangwon)
  • Kwon Haehyo (Chunwoo)
  • Song Seonmi (Junhee)
  • Ahn Jaehong (Seunghee)
  • Park Yeaju (Dohee)

Crew

Written and Directed by Hong Sangsoo
Cinematography Kim Hyungkoo, Park Hongyeol
Editing Hahm Sungwon
Gaffer Yi Yuiheang
Sound Kim Mir, Song Yeajin
Stills Photographer Kim Jinyoung
Colour Correction Cho Heedae
Assistant Director Lee Jeahan
Line Producer Kang Taeu
Producer Hong Sangsoo

World Sales

Finecut

Produced by

Jeonwonsa Film

Photos

Press Conference

Red Carpet

Hong Sangsoo

© Jeonwonsa Film Co.

Born in Seoul, South Korea in 1960, he studied at the city’s Chung-Ang University, at the California College of Arts and Crafts and at the Art Institute of Chicago. Since 1996, he has written and directed more than 30 feature films as well as several shorts. His work has already been invited to the Berlinale Competition seven times, most recently in 2023 with in water.

Filmography (selection)

1996 Daijiga umule pajinnal (The Day a Pig Fell Into the Well) 1998 Kangwon-do ui him (The Power of Kangwon Province) 2000 Oh soo-jung (Virgin Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors) 2002 Saenghwalui balgyeon (Turning Gate) 2004 Yeojaneun namjaui miraeda (Woman Is the Future of Man) 2005 Geuk jang jeon (A Tale of Cinema) 2006 Haebyuneui Yeoin (Woman on the Beach) 2008 Bam gua nat (Night and Day) 2009 Jal al-ji-do mot-ha-myeon-seo (Like You Know It All) 2010 Hahaha · Ok-hui-ui yeonghwa (Oki’s Movie) 2011 Book-chon-bang-hyang (The Day He Arrives) 2012 Da-reun na-ra-e-seo (In Another Country) 2013 Nugu-ui ttal-do anin haewon (Nobody’s Daughter Haewon) · U ri sunhi (Our Sunhi) 2014 Jayueui onduk (Hill of Freedom) 2015 Jigeumeun matgo geuttaeneun teullida (Right Now, Wrong Then) 2016 Dangsinjasingwa dangsinui geot (Yourself and Yours) 2017 Bamui haebyun-eoseo honja (On the Beach at Night Alone) · Keul-le-eo-ui ka-me-la (Claire’s Camera) · Geu-hu (The Day After) 2018 Pul-lp-Deul (Grass) 2019 Gang-Byun-Ho-Tel (Hotel by the River) · Domangchin yeoja (The Woman Who Ran) 2020 Inteurodeoksyeon (Introduction) 2021 Dangsin-eolgul-apeseo (In Front of Your Face) · So-seol-ga-ui yeong-hwa (The Novelist’s Film) 2022 Top (Walk Up) 2023 mul-an-e-seo (in water) · Woo-ri-ui-ha-ru (In Our Day) · Yeohaengjaui pilyo (A Traveler’s Needs)

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2024