Claire's Camera Explained

Claire's Camera
Native Name:
Director:Hong Sang-soo
Producer:Hong Sang-soo
Cinematography:Lee Jin-keun
Editing:Hahm Sung-won
Music:Dalpalan
Distributor:Jour2Fête (France)
Runtime:69 minutes[1]
Budget:$100,000[2]
Gross:$191,980[3]

Claire's Camera (French: '''La caméra de Claire''') is a 2017 drama film written, produced, and directed by Hong Sang-soo and starring Isabelle Huppert and Kim Min-hee. It had its world premiere in the Special Screening section of the 2017 Cannes Film Festival and released in France on 7 March 2018.[4] [5]

Plot

While working for a Korean film distribution company at the Cannes Film Festival, Jeon Man-hee is pressured to quit her job after her boss, Nam Yang-hye, tells her that she no longer trusts Man-hee, refusing to elaborate on why she feels this way. In fact, the firing took place because she had sex with director So Wan-soo during the festival. Man-hee decides to remain in Cannes for the time being.

Claire, a French teacher who has traveled to Cannes with a friend to attend a screening of her film, has a chance encounter with Director So at a cafe. She brings him to a local library and teaches him to recite a French poem. Although not a professional artist, Claire is an avid photographer who takes photos with her instant camera. While at dinner with So and Yang-hye, she shares her photos, including a photo she took earlier the same day of Man-hee. So and Yang-hye are confused at the circumstances of the photo, particularly why Man-hee is wearing more makeup than usual. Later, after Claire has left, it is revealed that So and Yang-hye have a romantic relationship, possibly contributing to Man-hee’s firing. So ends the relationship, claiming that he wants to ensure that their business relationship is not jeopardized.

Later, Claire meets Man-hee after taking her photo at the beach. During their conversation, Claire mentions that she has never eaten Korean food; Man-hee offers to cook for her. Man-hee brings Claire back to the apartment hotel she is staying at with her coworkers, where they share a meal. Claire shares about her encounter with So and Yang-hye, leading Man-hee to understand the circumstances of her dismissal.

Man-hee again meets So by chance at a hotel, who accosts her for her clothing. Claire, who is also there, takes a photo of Man-hee, upsetting her. Man-hee later brings Claire to the cafe where her firing took place. Claire takes a photo of Man-hee, telling her that she takes photos because the only way to change things is to “look at everything again, very slowly.” Claire shares with Man-hee about the death of her boyfriend months prior. Yang-hye comes to Man-hee’s apartment to meet with her. While their conversation is not depicted, Man-hee is seen back at work.

Cast

Production

In May 2016, it was announced Isabelle Huppert, Kim Min-hee, Jung Jin-young and Chang Mi-hee joined the cast of the film, with Hong Sang-soo directing the film. It was shot during the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.[6] [7]

Release

In August 2017, Cinema Guild acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film; it was released on 9 March 2018.[8]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 89% based on 56 reviews, with an average rating of 7.5/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Claire's Camera adds another deceptively unassuming entry to writer-director Hong Sang-soo's oeuvre – one whose lingering impact belies its brief length."[9] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 80 out of 100, based on 15 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[10]

Accolades

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Keul-le-eo-ui ka-me-la (Claire's Camera). 21 May 2017 . Cannes Film Festival. 9 February 2024.
  2. Web site: Q&A: Hong Sangsoo on having two films in Cannes this year. Screen Daily. Noh. Jean. 12 March 2018. 19 May 2017. limited. https://web.archive.org/web/20171201224859/https://www.screendaily.com/news/qanda-hong-sangsoo-on-having-two-films-in-cannes-this-year/5118172.article. 1 December 2017. live.
  3. Web site: Claire's Camera (2017). Box Office Mojo. 9 February 2024.
  4. Web site: Cannes Lineup: Todd Haynes, Sofia Coppola, Noah Baumbach, 'Twin Peaks'. Deadline Hollywood. Tartaglione. Nancy. Evans. Greg. 13 April 2017. 13 April 2017.
  5. Web site: Sofia Coppola, Todd Haynes, Michael Haneke, Bong-Joon Ho & 'Twin Peaks' Lead 2017 Cannes Film Festival Line Up. The Playlist. Kevin. Jagernauth. 13 April 2017. 13 April 2017.
  6. Web site: Agnès Varda Begins New Documentary; Hong Sang-soo Shooting In Cannes with Isabelle Huppert. The Film Stage. Nick. Newman. 16 May 2016. 14 May 2017.
  7. News: Hong Sang-soo Reunites with French Actress for New Film. The Chosun Ilbo. 13 May 2016. 14 May 2017.
  8. Film News Roundup: Ruth Negga Joins Brad Pitt's Sci-Fi Film 'Ad Astra'. Variety. Dave. McNary. 7 August 2017. 8 August 2017.
  9. Web site: Claire's Camera. Rotten Tomatoes. 9 February 2024.
  10. Web site: Claire's Camera. Metacritic. 13 July 2018.
  11. Web site: [23회 부산국제영화제] 부일영화상]. 20 September 2018. Busan Ilbo. ko.