The man who told the West about Korean cinema finally gets his close-up.
Prominent film critic Tony Rayns has long been a supporter of Korean cinema. This film illustrates Rayns’ affection for Korean cinema through interviews of Korean cineastes that have a special affinity for him, including JANG Sun-woo, LEE Chang-dong and HONG Sang-soo among others.
Acting
Bong Joon Ho's charming, slightly chaotic interview energy.
Direction
Seo Won-tae lets legends speak without overproducing.
Writing
Rayns' own sharp, unpretentious critical voice throughout.
Director
Seo Won-tae
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Rayns' 1990s writing for Sight & Sound essentially constructed the Western critical framework for understanding Korean cinema as 'New Wave' rather than exotic curiosity.
Hong Sang-soo reportedly only agreed to interview after Rayns wrote what Hong considered the first truly perceptive Western review of his work—specifically on THE DAY A PIG FELL INTO THE WELL.
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