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
FrenchLa caméra de Claire
Directed byHong Sang-soo
Written byHong Sang-soo
Produced byHong Sang-soo
Starring
CinematographyLee Jin-keun
Edited byHahm Sung-won
Music byDalpalan
Production
companies
  • Jeonwonsa Film Co.
  • Les Films du Camélia
Distributed byJour2Fête (France)
Release dates
  • 21 May 2017 (2017-05-21) (Cannes)
  • 7 March 2018 (2018-03-07) (France)
  • 25 April 2018 (2018-04-25) (South Korea)
Running time
69 minutes[1]
Countries
  • South Korea
  • France
Languages
  • English
  • French
  • Korean
Budget$100,000[2]
Box office$191,980[3]

Plot

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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

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Production

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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

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

Reception

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Critical response

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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

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Awards Category Recipient Result Ref.
27th Buil Film Awards Best Film Claire's Camera Nominated [11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Keul-le-eo-ui ka-me-la (Claire's Camera)". Cannes Film Festival. 21 May 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "Claire's Camera (2017)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  4. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy; Evans, Greg (13 April 2017). "Cannes Lineup: Todd Haynes, Sofia Coppola, Noah Baumbach, 'Twin Peaks'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "Hong Sang-soo Reunites with French Actress for New Film". The Chosun Ilbo. 13 May 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  8. ^ McNary, Dave (7 August 2017). "Film News Roundup: Ruth Negga Joins Brad Pitt's Sci-Fi Film 'Ad Astra'". Variety. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  9. ^ "Claire's Camera". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Claire's Camera". Metacritic. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  11. ^ "[23회 부산국제영화제] 부일영화상". Busan Ilbo (in Korean). 20 September 2018.
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