One Film A Day: The Day He Arrives

Greetings everyone today I am writing to you on the second day of my Film-A-Day Challenge. Today's film is by a filmmaker I'm only just getting to know, Hong Sang-Soo.

DAY 2 - 1/11/2023

Today I watched The Day He Arrives (2011) by the lesser-known, but amazing Hong Sang-Soo. A Korean director known by cinephiles as a subtle, yet masterful director. He's one of those directors who don't work with fully realised scripts and shoot films on the go. The result is amazingly precise, yet emotional films that are quite the relatable viewing experience.

To be honest, I find it difficult to describe the directing style of Hong Sang-soo. That being said, I cannot deny its impact on me. It has a slow pace, but it doesn't feel slow. The characters thread a fine line between realism and in certain moments, surrender to the grip of fantasy. That's the best way I can find to describe his films.

The Day He Arrives (2011) follows a professor in the film department at a provincial university who goes to Seoul to meet his senior, who works as a film critic and stays in a northern Seoul village for three days.

One of the film's greatest strengths is its nuanced storytelling and intelligent character development. The nonlinear narrative weaves together moments of repetition, mirroring the cyclical nature of life itself. This technique brilliantly encapsulates the protagonist's sense of aimlessness and the underlying theme of the inevitability of certain events in our lives.

The cinematography, masterfully executed in black and white, captures the subtle nuances of Seoul, portraying it as both a bustling metropolis and an intimate, lonely space. The use of long, contemplative shots allows the audience to immerse themselves in the characters' emotional landscapes, enhancing the film's immersive quality.

Hong Sang-soo's direction is nothing short of visionary. His keen eye for detail and ability to capture the intricacies of human interaction are evident throughout the film. The dialogues, often laden with subtext, are delivered with impeccable timing, creating moments of both humour and poignancy.

Few films these days stay in your mind after watching them and this film I'm happy to say, does. I encourage anyone to give this film a try. It's not something that's too hard to watch. A lonely film that's perfect on a rainy day.

My Rating: 9/10