Introduction (Korean: 인트로덕션, romanizedInteurodeoksyeon) is a 2021 South Korean drama film written, directed, produced, photographed, scored and edited by Hong Sang-soo. The film stars Shin Seok-ho, Park Mi-so and Kim Min-hee.[3]

Introduction
Release poster
Hangul
인트로덕션
Revised RomanizationInteurodeoksyeon
Directed byHong Sang-soo
Written byHong Sang-soo
Produced byHong Sang-soo
Starring
CinematographyHong Sang-soo
Edited byHong Sang-soo
Music byHong Sang-soo
Production
company
Jeonwonsa Film Co.
Distributed byThe Cinema Guild (United States)[1]
Release dates
  • March 2021 (2021-03) (Berlinale)
  • May 27, 2021 (2021-05-27) (South Korea)
Running time
66 minutes
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean
Box officeest. US46,559[2]

The film had its worldwide premiere at the 71st Berlin International Film Festival in March 2021,[3] where it won the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay. It was released theatrically in South Korea on May 27, 2021.[4]

Plot edit

Section 1 Opening scenes enter Youngho (Shin Seokho) seeing off his girlfriend before going into a waiting room of a traditional Korean doctor’s offices where a famous actor (Ki Joobong) has dropped by unexpectedly. In conversation with the nurse(Ye Ji-won) we learn Youngho is there to see his father not an appointment but his request.

Section 2 The location shifts to Juwon (Park Miso), a student who has come to Berlin with her mother(Yun-hee Cho) to study fashion, there she meets an artist (Kim Minhee) who is an old friend of her mother’s, and who will put Juwon up at her apartment until she finds her own place. Juwon leaves them to meet up with her boyfriend Youngho on a surprise visit who hopes to get money from his father to study in Germany with her.

Section 3 Two years later, back in Korea, Youngho, who traveled to Berlin for a visit in part 2, goes to seaside restaurant with his pal at his mother's(Cho Yunhee) request to meet the famous actor(Ki Joobong) who is a friend of his mother’s. The old actor who was also acquainted with Youngho’s now estranged doctor father (Kim Youngho) — recalled from the opening scenes set in the doctor’s offices where the actor had dropped by, postponing Youngho’s own mysterious meeting with his father and having inspired Youngho to become an actor as well. The meal is interrupted by a dispute about Youngho’s leaving acting. On the beach he has an imagined encounter with Juwon before awakening in the car and going for a swim.

Cast edit

The cast include:[1]

  • Shin Seokho as Youngho
  • Park Miso as Juwon
  • Kim Young-ho as Father
  • Gi Ju-bong
  • Joo-Bong Ki as Old Actor
  • Young-hwa Seo as Juwon's Mother
  • Kim Min-hee as Painter
  • Cho Yoon-hee as Youngho's Mother
  • Ji-won Ye as Nurse
  • Ha Seongguk as Youngho's Friend Jeongsoo

Release edit

On February 11, 2021, Berlinale announced that the film would have its worldwide premiere at the 71st Berlin International Film Festival in the Berlinale Competition section, in March 2021.[5][6]

The film was selected for screening in 'View of the World' category at 11th Beijing International Film Festival held from 21 to 29 September 2021.[7] It is also selected for screening in 'Icon' category at 26th Busan International Film Festival held from 6 to 15 October 2021.[8]

Reception edit

Introduction was ranked eighth on Cahiers du Cinéma's top 10 films of 2022 list.[9]

Awards and nominations edit

Year Award Category Recipients/ Nominees Result Ref(s)
2021 71st Berlin International Film Festival Silver Bear for Best Screenplay Hong Sang-soo Won [10]
30th Buil Film Awards Best Film Introduction Nominated [11]
Best New Actor Shin Seok-ho Nominated

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Film and TV Projects Going Into Production - Introduction". Variety Insight. Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  2. ^ "KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box (2021)". KOFIC. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Grater, Tom (February 11, 2021). "Berlinale Unveils Competition Line-Up: New Pics From Daniel Bruhl, Celine Sciamma, Radu Jude, Xavier Beauvois & Hong Sang-soo". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  4. ^ Kim Mi-hwa (May 24, 2021). "'인트로덕션' 홍상수 감독 없이..신석호X박미소X서영화,GV일정 공개 [M+TV인사이드]" ['Introduction' without director Hong Sang-soo... Shin Seok-ho X Park Miso X Seo Young-hwa, GV schedule revealed]. Star News. Naver. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  5. ^ Roxborough, Scott (February 11, 2021). "Berlin Film Festival Unveils Competition Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  6. ^ Press Office (February 11, 2021). "Feb 11, 2021 Competition - Reshaping Cinematic Forms". Berlin International Film Festival. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  7. ^ Jo Joon-hyung (September 7, 2021). "베이징국제영화제 21일 개막…홍상수 '인트로덕션' 출품" [The Beijing International Film Festival opens on the 21st... Hong Sang-soo exhibited 'Introduction']. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  8. ^ Kim Ji-eun (September 30, 2021). "'당신얼굴 앞에서', 부국제서 첫 공개…홍상수·김민희 불참" ['In front of your face', first released at the sub-international... Hong Sang-soo and Kim Min-hee absent]. Newsis (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  9. ^ Zilko, Christian (December 1, 2022). "'Pacifiction' Tops Cahiers du Cinema's Best Films of 2022 List". IndieWire. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  10. ^ Kim Mi-hwa (May 24, 2021). "'인트로덕션' 홍상수 감독 없이..신석호X박미소X서영화,GV일정 공개 [M+TV인사이드]" ['Introduction' without director Hong Sang-soo... Shin Seok-ho X Park Miso X Seo Young-hwa, GV schedule revealed]. Star News. Naver. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  11. ^ Jo Young-mi (August 26, 2021). "모가디슈' ·'자산어보' 13개 부문 중 8개 부문 후보에 올라" [Mogadishu’ and ‘Jasaneobo’ were nominated for 8 out of 13 categories]. Busan Ilbo (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved September 3, 2021.

External links edit