Writer and Director Celine Song and actors Greta Lee, John Magaro, and Teo Yoo talk to IndieWire's Jim Hemphill at the Sundance Film Festival about their celebrated film "Past Lives."
"showing your native language is so vulnerable, like, my korean is so private to me" that hit hard, such an honest and beautiful way of expressing what my experience as a child of an immigrant family has been like
I cried when the scene of them immigrating (on plane, practicing english, Nora being in school and not being able to connect with her peers due to language barrier) . much of that reflected in my experience as well as as an immigrant.
Resonates with one of my favourite lines from the film when Arthur says "There's this place inside you where I can never go." (might not be exact quote)
The quick cut at the end showing them as kids was sublime. Gave me chills. There they are once again the two kids standing together but also apart on their divergent paths. The memory now in nighttime mirroring their present was beautiful visual poetry. A realization that their feelings for each other can only exist in a time and space both real and imaginary. Kudos to the Celine Song.
"A realization that their feelings for each other can only exist in a time and space both real and imaginary." That is a such a beautiful line that cuts me so deep; having lived so many lives this is the kind of thing I dream about most daays.
Saw this on flight back from London at 3 am . A beautiful film made by Celine . Greta illuminates with subtle eye glances Teo’s melancholy will break u . John’s quietness holds you like a warm hug . Celine brilliantly shows that silence and space between the characters convey love that will break and elevates u at the same time . Well done ❤
As an Asian American woman, living in NY with family in Asia, and balancing both Eastern and Western cultures my whole life, this movie did an amazing job of portraying this balancing, this longing to be both. It's a very well-done romantic movie, not cheezy, very real, and I can relate to all the subtleties that were portrayed in this gem. The very last scene surprisingly made me cry, and I wasn't expecting that. It's a moving cry, but also a "someone understands how I feel" cry. This movie can help many people explain this balancing act of two cultures to all races, and I feel that it could be understood by many as well. This is a must-watch.
Saw this film yesterday evening, and walked out of the theatre just in awe. It was raw, authentic, and so powerfully moving. I can't explain how many moments resonated with me at a visceral level - a true literary art piece, from the cinematography, acting, thematic undertones, and its expressive original soundtrack. What an exquisite portrayal of the human condition in the context of bi cultural upbringings, love, and growing up... most importantly, how we navigate love and life at different stages in life and how we reconcile with our pasts. I knew I would love it as much as I did even before I walked in to see it. I will remember this one for years to come.
@@whythissucks829 Sounds like you didn't even watch the movie and just based your opinion off the trailer. The two scripts are nothing alike except for childhood friendship.
It’s a crime John Magaro has the best line in the movie. He has the least screen time but that line was beautiful and funny and sad at the same time. Amazing first time director. Beautifully acted by the cast.
At a guess, it might be when he says to Nora "You dream in a language I can't understand. It's like there's this whole place inside you I can't go." @@erikhasanmusic
I had to see it twice in a row. It hit me hard on a, personal level in ways I might not be able to articulate in words. It's about that special encounter in life, the time and space it takes place and the decisions we make and learn to embrace, in very much karmic level. It somehow worms into my heart, the melancholy Teo Yoo describes akin to Wong Kar-wai's best (to me, Happy Together) without having the need of creating a cinematic spectacle.
Saw this at LAAPFF. It's very good - thoughtful characters (who are almost too mature for most audiences), amazing script, and actors who bring a lot of life to their characters. A quiet and unassuming movie, but one that evokes lots of feelings of forlornness and conflicting identity tied to time and space. Go see it everybody!
I've just come out of the cinema after watching Past Lives, my eyes reddened and sinuses running. A beautiful movie!!! How many of us can look back on loves lost, past lives and emotions torn?? Every one of us!!! Many, many thanks for writing this story and producing this movie!!!!
My favorite film of the year so far. And this is the kind of dork I am - I look at the one book behind them whose spine you can read and it's "36" - which makes me think of the three 12-year periods of the movie. I know. Dork.
Just watched this movie today. I was definitely pulled into the story, and resonated with the characters struggles. The actors did an excellent job communicating the Humanity in the Struggles of the Heart. Greta's delivery took me for a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I'm still metabolizing it.....
Just watched! I didn’t know most of the film was in Korean, but that didn’t stop me from falling in love with these characters and sobbing 😭. I loved it soo much! Incredible film!
Celine Song is actually Korean Canadian (not American). She immigrated to the US as an adult. This film is an understated beauty. So proud of my fellow Korean Canadian.
people should care less for the oscars. honestly, there are plenty pf good films and actors that did not receive an oscar. that does not lower their quality. on the contrary, at times, it can be a compliment. past loves is a good movie, with a beautiful story. it doesn’t matter what the oscars say.
Watched this film last night. It was excellent. Everything that the cast and director discuss here that they wanted to convey came through and in a very powerful way. Great film!
Certainly a wonderful gem💜💜💜 The actors convey an amazing wide range of emotional capabilities cover themes that keep them turning in my mind. I watched it 3 times. The sense of emotional connection and frustration is palpable. Yes. She moved 20 years before their physical encounter, but, he was left with a hole whereas, she had to deal with what being an immigrant is. Thank you all for a wonderful experience still roaming in my heart and soul.💜💜💜💜
After a bit of googling about the director, my head was hit by something. Celine's father was a filmmaker in South Korea and He made "Number 3" which is the greatest comedy movie in my life. It was really fun and full of some (very Korean) sarcastic jokes. Wow! Thank you for reminding me of the lovely memory of the movie. Thank you. :)
How painful missed the chance to watch this movie in Sundance, waiting and waiting for the theater release. "If two strangers walk by each other in the street and their clothes accidentally brush that means there have been 8,000 layers of In-Yun between them" I just found out Celine Song's father is Song Neung-han, the director who directed "Number 3" Korean Gangster Comedy film in 1997 that appears to be quite excellent. And the casts were Han Suk-kyu (Christmas in August), Song Kang-ho (Parasite), Choi Min-sik (Oldboy).
@monicaalexandru9638 I finally watched this movie and found Celine Song hommaged his father in the scene when Hae Sung was looking for Nora by posting to her father's movie Facebook page. In the movie, it is named " Number 11" but her father's real movie title is "Number 3".
I generally don’t like romance movies or kdramas. But this was very good! It felt so REAL. This has nothing to do with kdrama. It was beautifully filmed. Cinematography was very unique and beautiful.
This movie reminds me of a time twenty-three years ago when I was a at bar with a friend. We got talking to a group of three people (each around 25 to 30 years of age) - a German guy, an Australian guy and a young woman from the Indian sub-continent who spoke with a beautiful accent. The Aussie guy and her were partners a few years before and, by this time, she was living with the German guy here in Australia. The Aussie guy was visiting them from another city. She was fun with a good sense of humour, the German guy was from Germany, and the Aussie guy talkative and welcoming. Anyhow, Bridie, that night at the bar where we met, the German guy left early through frustration at the table service. I thought the service was ok. Two hours later, we all went back to the Indian woman's and German guy's house for dinner (Prahran). Lamb chops in coconut sauce, I remember, that the Aussie guy prepared. After a few drinks later and at midnight, I slept on their sofa and left early the next morning. Stupidly, I never kept in contact with them - although, I did leave a handwritten message in their letterbox (pre-Facebook days). She was also crazy for Vivian, the West Indian cricket batsman. I hope she is doing well and will, maybe, read my post here someday and drink vino. Good health to you all. Thank you for this movie!!!! Thank you for this movie!!!! A movie with only three characters!! How did manage it?!? A wonderful movie.
It's so funny that was his first question because after seeing the movie yesterday and rewatching it today lol i was wondering about the casting process because the three of them are perfectly cast.
A beautiful scene where Greta says goodbye to the Korean guy and her husband is waiting for her on the stoop. The step of their East Village apartment. This is a beautifully directed movie!!!! Very impressive, and in a minimalist stye. I'm not expressing myself very well. Sorry. I didn't go to film school.
Thanks, Sharon. Would you, by any chance, happen to be related to a guy named Anthony Albanese?? There are many links of him on Google. @@sharonalbanese8084
director celine seemed so standofish. I can feel her coldness when Greta touched her arm talking about their second call back chat. When Teo Yoo asked her a question in the end about her broadway writing and asked if it helped, she first shut down the question as if he was questioning her credibility (which he wasn't because you can see he was genuinely interested in her experience), and again the way she answered was like "OH I HAVE A TON OF EXPERIENCE" geeezzz lady.. .Also curious why they rejected Greta and who was first choice.
Saw Teo in Love to Hate You. Compared to other K actors, I loved how natural he came across, even in his romantic scenes. Hope he does more movies. Will definitely look this up!