in water

a film by Hong Sangsoo
2023, 61 minutes

Poster

Synopsis

A trio of friends venture to the rocky shores of a large island to shoot a film together. The director, Seongmo (Shin Seokho), recently gave up acting and has decided to make a film with his own money. His former classmate, Sangguk (Ha Seongguk), will operate the camera and Namhee (Kim Seungyun) will act in it. The only problem: Seongmo hasn’t decided what to make.

His most overtly experimental work to date, in water reveals Hong at the height of his allusory powers. The story is simple: three friends set out to make a film, and then they do it. But with bold formal choices and his signature impulse toward the uncanny, Hong evokes infinite mysteries and hints at whole worlds lurking below the surface of everyday reality.

Reviews

"A fearless, genuine experiment."
-Nic Rapold, Artforum

"Hauntingly beautiful."
-Chuck Bowen, Slant

"A gently gorgeous delight...suffused with the haziness of a half-forgotten memory."
-Thomas Flew, Sight & Sound

Press Materials

High-Res Stills and Press Kit
Press Release

Where to watch

FIRE + WATER
in water will play theatrically with
a new short film by Pedro Costa The Daughters of Fire.

Playdates

Dec 1-7: Metrograph - New York, NY
Dec 1-8: American Cinematheque - Los Angeles, CA
Dec 3: Acropolis - Los Angeles, CA
Dec 7: OKC Museum of Art - Oklahoma City, OK
Dec 8-9: UWM Union Cinema - Milwaukee, WI
Dec 8-14: Media Arts Center - San Diego, CA
Dec 13-20: Northwest Film Forum - Seattle, WA
Dec 15-21: Gene Siskel Film Center - Chicago, IL

Jan 4-28: The Cinematheque - Vancouver, BC
Jan 5-7: Webster Film Series - St. Louis, MO
Jan 12-18: Kan-Kan Cinema - Indianapolis, IN
Jan 20: Doc Films - Chicago, IL
Jan 26-28: Winnipeg Film Group - Winnipeg, MB

Feb 9 & 19: Harvard Film Archive - Cambridge, MA
Feb 9: FilmScene - Iowa City, IA
Feb 10: Cleveland Cinematheque - Cleveland, OH
Feb 16: Lightbox Film Center - Philadelphia, PA
Feb 29: TIFF Bell Lightbox - Toronto, ON