QUICK AND DIRTY: LIVE FROM BERLIN

Normally, the more you become acquainted with a director’s filmography, the easier it becomes to review their films. With 64-year-old Korean filmmaker Hong Sang-soo – who releases almost religiously two films per year -, it’s precisely the opposite. That’s because his movies are so similar and his portfolio so consistent that there’s barely anything new to say. That’s a problem for the cranky film critic desperately in search of something novel. But not necessarily for the viewer. What Does That Nature Say To You is a mostly enjoyable film, much like its countless precursors.

Ha Donghwa (Ha Seong-guk) is a 35-year-old wedding photographer and amateur poet. One sunny day, he drives his girlfriend of three years Kim Jun-hee (Kang So-yi) home and meets her parents for the first time. Hitherto he knew very little about them, except that her father Kim Oryeong (Kwon Hae-hyo) was a very “filial son” (in other words, his devotion to his mother was so strong that he erected a little memorial in his garden). He is the one to greet Donghwa. He is unconcerned about his son-in-law-to-be’s menial occupation and interests. That’s because he’s reassured of his social standing: Donghwa’s father is a powerful attorney often seen on television.

The rest of the story takes place inside the house, and also at a nearby pagoda, just as the newly-formed family spend their first day together. Jun-hee’s friendly mother (who’s also a poet) and reclusive sister also join the action. It is around the dinner table, with abundant food and drinks (makgeolli is always firmly on the menu) that these people get to know each other. Commensality becomes a tool for social integration, while alcohol becomes a catalyst for intimacy. And also for disaster. Nothing of epic proportions though. The differences here are easy to overcome. The confrontations remain strictly self-contained and manageable. Some confessional badmouthing can do wonders. Just spray it with a little bitching, and the relationship is squeaky clean again.

Sang-soo’s latest movie excels in spontaneity, something the director achieves in every single one of his films. The micro-conflicts are both credible and hilarious, as is the attempt at redemption (after a drunk outburst in front of his in-laws, a deeply embarrassed Donghwa asks rhetorically: “did I overreacted?”). The harmless backstabbing too feels authentic and funny. Ultimately, it is joie-de-vivre that prevails. These characters find a certain pleasure and even bond with one another in awkwardness. In. a way, this is a comedy of working-class manners.

Such informality extends to the film aesthetic. The camera – which Sang-soo operates himself – is so unceremonious and the textures so simple that you could easily mistake this for a homemade or a student film. There is a sheer disregard for sharpness, brightness and colour correction. Enough to raise the hair of more orthodox post-production supervisors. The camera is almost entirely static, boasting almost exclusively medium shots and very long takes. The Korean director doesn’t even bother to soften the zoom, with viewers able to notice an abrupt change at both ends of the movement. Sang-soo doesn’t care about industry conventions. He just sits back and enjoys the filmmaking experience. You should do just the same as a viewer.

What Does That Nature Say to You just premiered in the Official Competition of the 75th edition of the Berlin International Film Festival.