Uriwa sanggwaneopsi

Regardless of Us
A resonant examination of the relational, Yoo Heong-jun’s clever and considered Uriwa sanggwaneopsi is one of this year’s auspicious debuts. Troubling connections between the spoken and unspoken, an event and its retelling and fiction and reality, the film’s philosophical inquiries into the nature of recto and verso are mirrored in its sly, bifurcated structure.
Recovering from a stroke, the middle-aged actor Hwa-ryeong receives a string of visits from collaborators on a new film. Alongside well-wishes, the guests share fragmentary details of its plot and its recent premiere alongside revelations of previously unspoken sentiments. From here the film shifts to its second half. Centered on an actor played by Cho – now nameless – figures from the earlier scenes reappear, their relations now wholly reoriented, with any correspondence to everything we’ve seen before left open to interpretation, interrogation and speculation.
Shot in black and white with a tendency towards long takes, Uriwa sanggwaneopsi is admirably understated and spacious, leaving room for Yoo’s finely calibrated script, equally precise performances, and the reflections that both invite.
by Yoo Heong-jun
with Cho Hyunjin, Cho Soyeon, Kwak Minkyu, Kim Misook, Choi Sungwon, Il Kang, Lee Yanghee, Park Sunghwan
South Korea 2023 Korean 81’ Black/White World premiere | Debut film

With

  • Cho Hyunjin
  • Cho Soyeon
  • Kwak Minkyu
  • Kim Misook
  • Choi Sungwon
  • Il Kang
  • Lee Yanghee
  • Park Sunghwan

Crew

Director Yoo Heong-jun
Screenplay Yoo Heong-jun
Cinematography Yoo Heong-jun, Kang Hyunjung
Editing Yoo Heong-jun
Music Yoo Heong-jun
Sound Design Yoo Heong-jun
Sound Hong Seulki, Lee Heewoo
Production Design Lee Subin
Assistant Directors Lee Heewoo, Park Minsoo
Producer Yoo Heong-jun

Produced by

Neungso Film co.

Yoo Heong-jun

Born in Seoul, Republic of Korea in 1993, he studied film directing. Uriwa sanggwaneopsi is his first feature-length film.

Filmography

2018 Adeulttaldeul (Sons and Daughters); 35 min. 2020 Pineun janchitjibeseo heullyeora (Let It Bleed on the Banquet); 39 min. 2023 Uriwa sanggwaneopsi (Regardless of Us); 81 min.

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2023