TIFF 2024: By the Stream Movie Trailer
If you’re a fan of subtle, thoughtful cinema, By the Stream, directed by renowned South Korean auteur Hong Sangsoo, should be on your TIFF 2024 radar. This beautifully minimalist film captures the essence of human connection and creativity, set against the backdrop of a women’s university during its annual skit festival. With Hong’s signature delicate touch, the story unfolds like a gentle autumn breeze, bringing a bittersweet sense of loneliness and hope.
A Quiet Story of Creativity and Reflection
In By the Stream, we meet Jeonim (played by Kim Minhee), an artist and lecturer who finds solace in her sketches by a tranquil stream. The natural beauty around her serves as inspiration for her intricate textile designs, but life doesn’t remain peaceful for long. When a scandal shakes the university’s theatre department, Jeonim invites her uncle, Chu Sieon (Kwon Haehyo), a once-famous actor-director, to take over the reins for the school’s skit festival.
As rehearsals unfold, old memories surface for Chu Sieon, who once directed a skit at the same university 40 years ago. Jeonim’s colleagues, including her supervisor (Cho Yunhee), eagerly welcome the seasoned artist, hoping for guidance and perhaps a bit of greatness to rub off on them. But as the festival approaches, the characters, both students and teachers, must confront their own vulnerabilities and emotional challenges.
Hong Sangsoo’s Signature Style
Hong Sangsoo is known for his minimalist approach, and By the Stream is no exception. The film’s slow, deliberate pace allows viewers to fully absorb the beauty of the autumnal landscape, the changing leaves mirroring the inner transformations of the characters. The conversations — often over boozy, intimate meals — feel authentic and raw, as Hong dives into existential questions about life, love, family, and mental health.
The film’s celestial aura, especially with its moonlit scenes, adds a mystical layer to the otherwise grounded story. It’s a meditation on the fragility of human relationships, and how art can serve as both an escape and a means of healing.
Why You Should Watch By the Stream
By the Stream isn’t your typical blockbuster. It’s a quiet, contemplative film that invites you to reflect on your own connections, both with others and with yourself. If you’re a fan of films that explore the complexity of human emotions and relationships with subtlety and grace, this one’s for you.
The performances by Kim Minhee and Kwon Haehyo are understated yet powerful, and Hong’s direction makes every scene feel like a carefully crafted painting. It’s a film that will leave you thinking long after the credits roll.
Catch the Screenings at TIFF 2024
- Thursday, September 5: Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, 6:15 pm (Press & Industry)
- Wednesday, September 11: TIFF Lightbox, 3:30 pm
- Thursday, September 12: Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, 6:15 pm
- Saturday, September 14: Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, 12:45 pm
If you’re in the mood for a cinematic experience that’s as peaceful as it is profound, By the Stream is a must-see at TIFF 2024. Dive into Hong Sangsoo’s latest masterpiece and let yourself be carried along by its gentle current.
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