The Novelist's Film (소설가의 영화)

Jun-hee, a celebrated novelist suffers from writer's block and decides to make a film. She quickly finds an actor and a cameraman, but has no idea what she wants to tell. "The story is not important", she says to a friend. The Novelist's Film consists of a series of encounters Jun-hee has with: a friend with whom she is estranged and runs a bookshop, a celebrated director who has struggled with the adaptation of one of Jun-hee's novels, and a famous actress. What follows are conversations about art and life, about film and alcohol – obviously the latter is ever-present. The film – winner of the Silver Bear at the Berlinale – pleads for letting go and daring to do nothing. Something director (and screenwriter, producer, editor, cameraman and composer) Hong Sang-soo himself seems unable to do. This is his ninth film in five years.

“Working in unusually high-contrast black and white, The Novelist’s Film is a springy, slight treat that wryly comments on the filmmaking world. Hong Sang-soo eschews neat plotting and narrative arcs with another gorgeous, meandering film that’s rich with imperfect musings on life and art.” - Sight & Sound