Film Matters Magazine

The name Ari Aster is no longer unfamiliar to horror fans. With his feature debut, Hereditary (2018), followed by Midsommar (2019) and Beau Is Afraid (2023), he gained recognition for exploring the themes of familyties and the lurking anxieties of the human psyche. Yet, his cinematic world was already deeply rooted in his short film The Strange Thing About the Johnsons (2011). At just over twenty minutes, the film is brief but powerful enough to leave audiences shaken.

In Front of Your Face (2021) is a Korean film directed by Hong Sang-soo. It is an independent film, directed, written, and produced by himself, with camera, editing, and music also by him. Additionally, the production company and distribution company are his own. His films are consistently invited to the Cannes Film Festival, often winning the Grand Prix, and this year he was even selected as a competition jury member. This particular film, however, featured at the 74th Cannes Premiere Section.

This film is conversation-focused; it depicts the situation in which a woman, a former actress, briefly reunites with her family and has a meeting with a director. Above is the scene where the director, Jae-won, and the woman, Sang-ok, meet and have dinner together. She refuses his casting offer and confides in him that she only has a few months to live. After she reveals everything, he asks, “What does it feel like to know you have only a few months left to live?” She responds with quiet composure, and he listens calmly. By the end of their conversation, he unexpectedly breaks down in tears. This scene shows a woman slowly and quietly coming to terms with the final stages of her life. In the following scenes, viewers see the perspectives of those around her who witness her impending death and the end of their relationship. It allows audiences to explore honest, instinctive conversations along with petty, flawed human behaviors. Additionally, there is no shot size change, which is a signature cinematic technique of director Hong. This keeps the audience focused on the characters’ conversation while making the situation more realistic.

Director Hong Sang-soo consistently captures the genuine, honest, and poignant aspects of human nature through minimalist direction and dialogue that evoke honest conversations rather than scripted lines. I personally watched his thirty-two films, including a few short films he made. In Front of Your Face lingers in my mind, with its scenes continuing to come back to me long after it ends. If you see this film and appreciate candid, realistic cinema, it will stay with you. 

Author Biography

Soohwan Lee, a third-year Film and Media Arts major at the University of Utah, is passionate about filmmaking, photography, and the art of independent cinema. Lee has created short films, one of which has been featured on the OTT platform Watcha, and enjoys exploring how films capture human emotions and leave a lasting impression on viewers.