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]
| Claire's Camera | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| French | La caméra de Claire |
| Directed by | Hong Sang-soo |
| Written by | Hong Sang-soo |
| Produced by | Hong Sang-soo |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Lee Jin-keun |
| Edited by | Hahm Sung-won |
| Music by | Dalpalan |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Jour2Fête (France) |
Release dates |
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Running time | 69 minutes[1] |
| Countries |
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| Languages |
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| Budget | $100,000[2] |
| Box office | $191,980[3] |
Plot
editWhile 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
edit- Isabelle Huppert as Claire
- Kim Min-hee as Jeon Man-hee
- Chang Mi-hee as Nam Yang-hye
- Jung Jin-young as director So Wan-soo
- Yoon Hee-sun
- Lee Wan-min
- Kang Taeu
- Mark Peranson
- Shahira Fahmy
Production
editIn 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
editIn August 2017, Cinema Guild acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film; it was released on 9 March 2018.[8]
Reception
editCritical response
editOn 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
edit| Awards | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27th Buil Film Awards | Best Film | Claire's Camera | Nominated | [11] |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Keul-le-eo-ui ka-me-la (Claire's Camera)". Cannes Film Festival. 21 May 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ Noh, Jean (19 May 2017). "Q&A: Hong Sangsoo on having two films in Cannes this year". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
- ^ "Claire's Camera (2017)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ Tartaglione, Nancy; Evans, Greg (13 April 2017). "Cannes Lineup: Todd Haynes, Sofia Coppola, Noah Baumbach, 'Twin Peaks'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- ^ Jagernauth, Kevin (13 April 2017). "Sofia Coppola, Todd Haynes, Michael Haneke, Bong-Joon Ho & 'Twin Peaks' Lead 2017 Cannes Film Festival Line Up". The Playlist. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- ^ Newman, Nick (16 May 2016). "Agnès Varda Begins New Documentary; Hong Sang-soo Shooting In Cannes with Isabelle Huppert". The Film Stage. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
- ^ "Hong Sang-soo Reunites with French Actress for New Film". The Chosun Ilbo. 13 May 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
- ^ McNary, Dave (7 August 2017). "Film News Roundup: Ruth Negga Joins Brad Pitt's Sci-Fi Film 'Ad Astra'". Variety. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
- ^ "Claire's Camera". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ "Claire's Camera". Metacritic. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
- ^ "[23회 부산국제영화제] 부일영화상". Busan Ilbo (in Korean). 20 September 2018.
