By the Stream

This one is Hong Sangsoo's second movie of 2024, and he delivered a perfect film which talks about artistic freedom, ideology, lost love and the process of being a perfect human, but often we get into dilemma about what kind of perfect human you want to be, one that society desires or one that you desire to be. I love that scene where the director talks with his students over a meal about what they want to be. Its just a simple conversation but deeply effective. Jeonim's character played by Kim Minhee is also very interesting, woman in her 40s seems lost and lonely and slowly becoming her mother's reflection and searching for something which gives meaning for her. same for director who got blacklisted for his ideology, dwells on his past mistakes and moments and look to make new connections and new meaning in life. both characters find solace and happiness in art. It’s a tale of loneliness, connection, and artistic creation as solace and inner peace. The film is Produced in a minimalist fashion but it's very beautiful to watch, the fallen Autumn leaves, the sound of the running stream, makes them feel less lonely in that moment, but inside they have stirred emotions which dying to come out. And they come out only in a compact setting, when they sit for drinks and meals, it is a way of restoring the life balance over previous conflicts with self and people around you. This is one of the most scandalous film hong made ,but yet it doesn't feel dramatic or overwhelming, just like a stream of river with ripples and under current, our lives move forwards with mistakes we make and moments we cherish and find solace in things we love.