Between a series of vomit and a depressing Jonathan Glazer film, it’s good to take a break from humanity. And in this little game, Winter Yangshi escapes the jury’s congratulations.
Born in Cannes
Anthony Chen is Kahn’s son. Awarded for his first short film (2007) and then the Camera d’Or for his first feature film, the Singaporean filmmaker, now 39, is all about the Croisette. And the festival is honoring it this year with an Un Certain Regard selection.
Predictions failed
Un hiver à Yanji features a trio (dare we say a group) that has everything to turn into a drama. Consider a Chinese financial expert on a tour of South Korea who meets a young woman, a tour guide for said tour. He is as talkative and purposeful as he is introverted and suffering from an existential malaise. The beautiful guide soon falls for the darkly handsome man’s charms, and he most naturally introduces him to his best friend (and just a friend), who is dying to love a young woman who is a professional cook. He knows it and plays with moderation. After all our predictions are foiled, the two men become friends and the trio decide to take a weekend trip to winter Korea. If this road trip adheres to some of the conventions of the genre (including the alcohol era), it surprises with its sweetness and deafening melancholy.
The response to COVID
The suspended time of this makeshift presence fosters introspection among these three characters, who in turn reveal gaping flaws and heretofore unexpressed desires elsewhere. And yet, they really are, these desires. These characters are not yet in their thirties, but each is already exploring the gap between their dream life and everyday life. Tears then appear, without warning, without rash. This restraint is emotional and makes the entire price of this beautiful film that Anthony Chen wanted as a response to the forced confinement during the time of COVID. Trio’s need for oxygen is first and foremost his and becomes ours.
Winter in Yangzhi No release date in France yet.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
