Pre-Order Return To Seoul (2022) (Blu-ray) Available for Preorder (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

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[JoeStemme]

RETURN TO SEOUL (2022). Shortlisted for the Best International Film Oscar; not nominated. Davy Chou's moody drama about a Korean-French adoptee, Freddie (Park Ji-Min) who returns as a young woman to seek out her biological parents. Chou's approach is a bit oblique. Freddie's path never follows a straight path and the filmmaker seems to purposely keep the viewer at arm's length.

This isn't to say the movie is without emotion. The story takes place over an eight year period, which allows Freddie's character to find herself. Park Ji-Min was a first time actress, and is given an incredibly difficult role, doubly so because her dialogue is often brief and to the point. The most telling line is given to another actress who observes Freddie and remarks: “You are a sad person.” Freddie is something of a free spirit, but much of the performance is external.

Thomas Favel's cinematography captures the atmosphere while maintaining Chou's slightly distanced POV. RETURN TO SEOUL has a palpable sense of a journey not quite completed, yet mildly fulfilling nonetheless. Fans of this year's PAST LIVES should be particularly interested (JOY RIDE to an extent as well).