Our Sunhi (Korean: 우리 선희; RR: Uri Seonhui) is a 2013 South Korean film written and directed by Hong Sang-soo. Hong won the Silver Leopard award for Best Director at the 66th Locarno International Film Festival.[2][3][4][5][6]
| Our Sunhi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Hangul | 우리 선희 |
| Revised Romanization | Uri Seonhui |
| Directed by | Hong Sang-soo |
| Written by | Hong Sang-soo |
| Produced by | Kim Kyoung-hee[1] |
| Starring | Jung Yu-mi Lee Sun-kyun Kim Sang-joong Jung Jae-young Ye Ji-won Lee Min-woo |
| Cinematography | Park Hong-yeol |
| Edited by | Hahm Sung-won |
| Music by | Jeong Yong-jin |
Production company | Jeonwonsa Film Co. |
| Distributed by | Finecut |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 89 minutes |
| Country | South Korea |
| Language | Korean |
Plot edit
Sunhi (Jung Yu-mi) is a recent film school graduate who returns to her alma mater to solicit a recommendation letter from her former professor, Choi Donghyun (Kim Sang-joong), because she wishes to apply for a post-graduate course in America. At first Donghyun tries to dissuade her, stressing the value of practical experience over theory, but he finally agrees, with one caveat: He can only write an "honest" letter, and if it doesn't satisfy her, she is free not to use it. In the letter, Donghyun states that Sunhi is artistically inclined and a good person, but he also implies that she's introverted, weak and never shows her real mettle.
While grabbing a beer at a nearby fast food chicken restaurant, Sunhi calls her ex-boyfriend Munsu (Lee Sun-kyun) to join her. She wants to confront Munsu over a film he made based on their failed relationship. As the number of empty bottles between them keeps growing, it becomes apparent that Munsu still carries a torch for the pretty and smart if "slightly bizarre," as Munsu calls her, Sunhi. She turns him down, but won't say why, then leaves.
The next day, Sunhi returns to campus, resolved to use her flirtatious charms to wrest a more flattering recommendation letter from Donghyun. She succeeds, persuading him to write a new letter, in which Donghyun now insists that she was his favorite student.
Meanwhile, Munsu meets with his friend, curmudgeonly fellow filmmaker Jaehak (Jung Jae-young). Jaehak also happens to be a confidant of Donghyun's, and during another drinking session, he lends a sympathetic ear to Munsu's lovelorn laments. But when Jaehak later encounters Sunhi by chance, he too finds himself falling under her spell after she asks him out for coffee and drinks.
Though Sunhi remains something of a mystery, the three men all think they know who she is and what she needs, essentially depriving her of her right to privacy or a self-determined identity. All three men pursue the same woman without realizing it — until they all meet together in a climax set on the beautiful, autumnal-colored park grounds of Seoul's Changgyeonggung Palace.[7][8][9][10]
Cast edit
- Jung Yu-mi as Wui Sunhi
- Lee Sun-kyun as Kim Munsu
- Kim Sang-joong as Choi Donghyun
- Jung Jae-young as Jaehak
- Ye Ji-won as Joohyun
- Lee Min-woo as Sangwoo
Awards and nominations edit
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 66th Locarno International Film Festival | Best Director | Hong Sang-soo | Won |
| 14th Busan Film Critics Awards | Best Actress | Jung Yu-mi | Won | |
| Special Jury Prize | Hong Sang-soo | Won | ||
| 2014 | 1st Wildflower Film Awards | Best Actress | Jung Yu-mi | Nominated |
| 50th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Director | Hong Sang-soo | Nominated | |
| Best Supporting Actress | Ye Ji-won | Nominated | ||
| 23rd Buil Film Awards | Best Film | Our Sunhi | Nominated | |
| Best Director | Hong Sang-soo | Won | ||
| Best Actress | Jung Yu-mi | Nominated |
References edit
- ^ Jung, Han-seok (31 July 2013). "KIM Kyoung-hee, Producer of HONG Sangsoo's Films: Hidden Key Player Behind the Scene of HONG's Films". Korean Cinema Today. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
- ^ Conran, Pierce (18 August 2013). "Silver Leopard Triumph for HONG Sangsoo in Locarno". Korean Film Council. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
- ^ Cremin, Stephen (18 August 2013). "Hong Sang-soo named best director at Locarno". Film Business Asia. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
- ^ Jackson, Julie (18 August 2013). "Newsmaker: Hong Sang-soo wins Best Director at Locarno". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
- ^ "Hong Sang-soo Nabs Best Director Award at Locarno for Our Sunhi". The Chosun Ilbo. 19 August 2013. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
- ^ "Hong Sang-soo Says He Never Expected Best Director Award". The Chosun Ilbo. 4 September 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-06.
- ^ van Hoeji, Boyd (10 August 2013). "Our Sunhi (U ri Sunhi): Locarno Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
- ^ Fainaru, Dan (10 August 2013). "Our Sunhi". Screen International. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
- ^ Kohn, Erica (11 August 2013). "Locarno Film Festival Review: Filled With Heavy Drinking and Soul-Searching, Hong Sang-soo's Bittersweet Dramedy Our Sunhi Is an Ideal Entry Point to the Director's Work". IndieWire. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
- ^ Foundas, Scott (18 August 2013). "Locarno Film Review: Our Sunhi". Variety. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
