Woman is the Future of Man
Yeojanun Namjayue Miraeda
credits:
Director: Hong Sang-sooProducers: Marin Karmitz, Ahn Byung-joo
Writer: Hong Sang-soo
Cast: Yoo Ji-tae, Kim tae-woo, Sung Hyun-ah
South Korea 2004 | 88 mins | 35mm | Korean w/E.S.
WOMAN IS THE FUTURE OF MAN is the first and sadly only Hong Sang-soo film to receive a release in the United States, and was the first of Hong’s films selected for the prestigious Palme d’Or competition at Cannes. WOMAN IS THE FUTURE OF MAN begins with director Heon-joon returning from the United States and meeting up with his art-professor friend Moon-ho (played by Lee Ji-tae, the villain of OLD BOY). Heon-joon is interested in rekindling his ‘romance’ with Park Seon-hwa, whom Moon-ho began a relationship with after Heon-joon left. And although now married, Moon-ho appears interested in re-starting this particular romantic fire as well.
Although using such familiar tropes such as repetition and obsession with “purity,” Hong also engages in less-used tactics like flashbacks and dream space, yet refuses to signal the appearance of either with typical warnings such as music interludes or hazy cinematography, thereby making this film one of his most challenging.
—Adam Hartzell
