TIFF 2024: Winter in Sokcho (With Movie Trailer in French)
TIFF 2024: Winter in Sokcho – A Haunting, Snow-Covered Journey of Identity and Connection
Winter in Sokcho (Hiver à Sokcho) is set to make its world premiere at TIFF 2024, and this debut feature from Koya Kamura promises to be a breathtaking mix of quiet introspection, unexpected connections, and the search for self. With a unique blend of animation and live action, this French-Korean drama invites viewers into the frosty, isolated world of Sokcho, where a young woman’s life is forever altered by the arrival of a mysterious French artist.
The Story: A Quiet Life Interrupted
Soo-Ha (Bella Kim) lives a peaceful but monotonous life working at a guesthouse in the seaside tourist town of Sokcho, South Korea. It’s the dead of winter, and the cold, snow-covered landscape reflects the emotional distance she feels from the world around her. Soo-Ha is stuck—struggling with a sense of identity, still haunted by her French father who left her mother before she was born.
Everything changes when Yan Kerrand (Roschdy Zem), a middle-aged French artist, checks into the guesthouse. He’s looking for inspiration for his next project, while Soo-Ha is trying to make sense of her own life. Their connection begins as two people searching for something but quickly grows into an unexpected bond that forces both to confront their pasts.
An Unconventional Love Story
Winter in Sokcho isn’t your typical romance. It’s an exploration of two people—one drifting through life, the other searching for meaning—who find solace in each other’s company. Soo-Ha and Kerrand embark on a sightseeing journey that leads them to unpack their own narratives. Soo-Ha is drawn to Kerrand’s foreignness, and it brings up unresolved feelings about her father and her mixed heritage. Kerrand, on the other hand, is intrigued by Soo-Ha’s quiet strength and the stark beauty of Sokcho, which begins to influence his art.
Their relationship is fragile and filled with tension, a connection that’s not built to last but is significant in the moment. As winter fades and spring arrives, the bond they’ve formed is tested by the inevitable change in seasons and life’s transient nature.
Masterful Blend of Animation and Live Action
What sets Winter in Sokcho apart is its stunning use of both animation and live action, which director Koya Kamura weaves together seamlessly. The animation brings an extra layer of emotion and introspection to the film, highlighting Soo-Ha’s inner world and the way she processes her feelings of abandonment and isolation. Kamura’s visual style creates a dreamlike quality that makes the story even more captivating, allowing viewers to experience the quiet beauty of Sokcho through Soo-Ha’s eyes.
Why You Should Watch It
Winter in Sokcho is more than just a love story—it’s a meditation on identity, belonging, and the scars left behind by those who abandon us. Koya Kamura’s debut film offers a delicate, poetic look at how our pasts shape us and the connections we form along the way. Bella Kim delivers a breakout performance as Soo-Ha, balancing vulnerability with quiet resilience, while Roschdy Zem’s portrayal of Kerrand brings depth to his role as a man lost in his own search for meaning.
If you’re drawn to films that explore the complexities of human connection and identity, Winter in Sokcho is a must-see at TIFF 2024. It’s a beautifully crafted, slow-burn story that lingers long after the credits roll.
Showtimes at TIFF 2024
Catch Winter in Sokcho at TIFF 2024 during these screenings:
- Thursday, September 5 – 9:00 pm (Scotiabank Theatre)
- Sunday, September 8 – 8:45 pm (TIFF Lightbox)
- Tuesday, September 10 – 12:00 pm (Scotiabank Theatre)
- Wednesday, September 11 – 9:05 am (Scotiabank Theatre, Press & Industry)
- Saturday, September 14 – 4:00 pm (Scotiabank Theatre)
If you’re ready for a film that’s as emotionally layered as it is visually stunning, Winter in Sokcho will be an unforgettable experience. Don’t miss this beautiful, introspective journey into the heart of winter—and self-discovery.
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