House of Hummingbird
| House of Hummingbird | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Kim Bora |
| Written by | Kim Bora |
| Starring | Park Ji-hoo Kim Sae-byuk Jung In-gi Lee Seung-yeon Park Soo-yeon |
| Cinematography | Kang Gook-hyun |
| Edited by | Zoe Sua Cho |
| Music by | Matija Strniša |
Production companies | Epiphany Film Mass Ornament Films |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 138 minutes[1] |
| Country | South Korea |
| Language | Korean |
House of Hummingbird (Korean: 벌새) is a 2018 South Korean drama film written and directed by Kim Bora. The film debuted in competition at the Busan International Film Festival's New Currents section in October 2018, where it won the NETPAC Award and the KNN Audience Award.[2][3] At the 69th Berlin International Film Festival, House of Hummingbird was awarded the Grand Prix of the Generation 14plus International Jury for the Best Film.[4]
Plot
Seoul 1994, in the year the Seongsu Bridge collapsed, 14-year-old Eunhee wanders the city searching for love.
Cast
- Park Ji-hoo as Eun-hee
- Kim Sae-byuk as Young-ji
- Jung In-gi as Eun-hee's father
- Lee Seung-yeon as Eun-hee's mother
- Park Soo-yeon as Soo-hee
- Son Sang-yeon as Dae-hoon
- Park Seo-yoon as Ji-sook
- Jung Yoon-seo as Ji-wan
- Seol Hye-in as Yoo-ri
- Hyung Young-seon as Eun-hee's uncle
- Gil Hae-yeon as Young-ji's mother
- Park Yoon-hee as Homeroom teacher
- Son Yong-beom as Joon-tae
- Ahn Jin-hyun as Min-ji
Production
Writing
Kim Bora, who also wrote the script as well as directing draws from her own childhood as inspiration for this coming of age film.[5] Focusing on a pivotal moment in her life, the collapse of the Seongsu bridge in 1994. Her intended outcome as stated in an interview by Marina D. Ritcher was to create a, "fictional film based on very personal experiences." [5] She wanted to highlight to rapid modernization of Korea and the consequences that came with trying to change too much too quickly. Ji Hyuck Moon in his article "Cracks Everywhere: How the Seongsu Bridge collapse Changed Seouls Urban Personality" talks about the phrase, "Bbali, bbali" that was used to describe this rapid-modernization that Kim portrays in her film.[6]
Casting
As for casting the main role of Eun-hee, it took director Kim Bora three years to find her perfect Eun-hee, Park Ji-hoo.[7] They first met in the audition room where Park Ji-hoo was asked to read a scene with her onscreen mentor Yeong-ji, Bora states Park Ji-hoo was "everything I was hoping for." [8]
Filming
Cinematographer Kang Kuk-hyun's goal was to remain as true to the time period as possible and make the film as realistic looking as possible.[8] Throughout the film Kang Kuk-hyun and Kim Bora worked to use the camera to bring out Eun-hee's emotions, every move of the camera was intentional to bring out the maximum emotional impact.[7] Bora's goal on the other hand as director, was not to portray any one character negatively, saying that by giving a more nuanced portrayal of the characters she shows how "no one can win in a patriarchal system." [8]
Soundtrack
Matija Strniša, who wrote the music for House of Hummingbird, won the best original score for his work at the Valencia International Film Festival.[9] The music was made to be electronic and also represent the time period, described as "classical inspired electronic music."[7]
Critic response
House of Hummingbird received a generally positive critical response. As of 10 June 2019, it holds a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes,[10] with a total of 12 critical reviews. On Metacritc, the film has an overall score of 79 out of 100 out of a total out of 4 positive reviews.[11]
Tomris Laffly from Variety describes the film as capturing the "soft-hued timeless look" of a time period that remains somewhat "hazy." Her review praises the no intrusive way Bora Kim explores Eun-hee's sexuality, never giving it a strict label and allowing the viewer join watch Eun-hee in her journey of self discovery. While she does admit the movie may have been too long for its premise, overall she states it "fleeting reality of female adolescence with sympathy" and intwines the "workings of both family and society." [12]
Elizabeth Kerr from The Hollywood Reporter chose to focus more on the femininity of film. Overall she describes, "Sensitive, keenly observed and unflinchingly honest," and claims that it deserves success in its upcoming run. She praised the relationship that forms between Eun-hee and Yeong-ji, saying when the two share are on screen together they are allowed to fully be free in a way of quotidian struggles.[13]
Andrew Bundy from The Playlist talks about how the film explores the fine line of "harsh and heartfelt communication" which Yeong-ji helps Euh-hee discover it difference all comes down to personal understanding. While a little long, Bundy praises the film on exploring the path to show the importance of empathy and understanding.[14]
In 2020, the film was ranked by The Guardian number 18 among the classics of modern South Korean cinema.[15]
Box office
Domestically, in South Korea House of Hummingbird grossed $997,953. It opened in 140 theaters and in its opening weekend it made $103,027.[16]
Awards and nominations
| Awards | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens International Film Festival | Best Film | House of Hummingbird | Nominated |
| Best Screenplay | Kim Bora | Won | |
| Austin Asian American Film Festival | Best Narrative Feature | House of Hummingbird | Won |
| Beijing International Film Festival | Special Mention | Kim Bora | Won |
| Best New Film | House of Hummingbird | Nominated | |
| Bergen International Film Festival | Cinema Extraordinaire | Kim Bora | Won |
| Berlin International Film Festival | Grand Prix of the Generation 14plus International Jury for the Best Film | House of Hummingbird | Won |
| Crystal Bear for Generation 14plus - Best Film | Nominated | ||
| Teddy for Best Feature Film | Nominated | ||
| Busan International Film Festival | KNN Award | Won | |
| NETPAC Award | Won | ||
| Cinema Jove - Valencia International Film Festival | Best Music | Matija Strnisa | Won |
| Heartland Film Festival | Grand Prize | House of Hummingbird | Won |
| Hong Kong Asian Film Festival | New Talent Award | Kim Bora | Won |
| International Istanbul Film Festival | Golden Tulip | House of Hummingbird | Won |
| Jerusalem Film Festival | FIPRESCI Prize | Won | |
| London Film Festival | Sutherland Award | Nominated | |
| Molodist International Film Festival | Best Feature Film | Won | |
| FIPRESCI Prize | Won | ||
| Seattle International Film Festival | Best Feature Film | Won | |
| Taipei Film Festival | Special Jury Prize | Kim Bora | Won |
| Grand Prize | Nominated | ||
| Transatlantyk Festival | Transatlantyk Distribution Award for Section "New Cinema" | Nominated | |
| Tribeca Film Festival | Best International Narrative Feature | House of Hummingbird | Won |
| Best Actress | Park Ji-hoo | Won | |
| Best Cinematography | Kang Gook-hyun | Won | |
| Malaysia Golden Global Awards | Best Director | Kim Bora | Won |
| Best Supporting Actress | Kim Sae-byuk | Won | |
| Best Cinematography | Kang Gook-hyun | Won | |
| VC FilmFest - Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival | Best Narrative Feature | House of Hummingbird | Won |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Film | Nominated | |
| Best Supporting Actress | Kim Sae-byuk | Nominated | |
| Best New Actress | Park Ji-hoo | Nominated | |
| Best New Director | Kim Bora | Nominated | |
| Best Screenplay | Won | ||
| Asia Pacific Screen Awards | Best Actress | Park Ji-hoo | Nominated |
| Korean Association of Film Critics Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Kim Sae-byuk | Won |
| Best New Director | Kim Bora | Won | |
| FIPRESCI Award | Won | ||
| Best New Actress | Park Ji-hoo | Won | |
| Top 10 Films of the Year | House of Hummingbird | Won | |
| Director's Cut Awards | Best Director | Kim Bora | Nominated |
| Best Actress | Park Ji-hoo | Nominated | |
| Best New Actress | Won | ||
| Best New Director | Kim Bora | Won | |
| Best Screenplay | Nominated | ||
| Busan Film Critics Awards | Best Cinematography | Kang Gook-hyun | Won |
| Women in Film Korea Awards | Best Director | Kim Bora | Won |
| Korean Film Producers Association Awards | Best Film | House of Hummingbird | Won |
| Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards | Won | ||
| Grand Bell Awards | Nominated | ||
| Best Director | Kim Bora | Nominated | |
| Best Supporting Actress | Kim Sae-byuk | Nominated | |
| Best New Actress | Park Ji-hoo | Nominated | |
| Best New Director | Kim Bora | Won | |
| Best Screenplay | Nominated | ||
| Best Cinematography | Kang Gook-hyun | Nominated | |
| Best Music | Matija Strniša | Nominated | |
| Cine 21 Awards | Top 10 Films of the Year | House of Hummingbird | 2nd place |
| Best New Director | Kim Bora | Won | |
| Best New Actress | Park Ji-hoo | Won | |
| Faro Island Film Festival | Best Film | House of Hummingbird | Nominated |
| Best Supporting Actress | Kim Sae-byuk | Nominated | |
| Best New Actress | Park Ji-hoo | Nominated | |
| Best New Director | Kim Bora | Won | |
| Best Screenplay | Nominated | ||
| Asian Film Critics Association Awards | Best New Director | Won | |
| Chunsa Film Art Awards[17] | Best Supporting Actress | Kim Sae-byuk | Nominated |
| Best New Actress | Park Ji-hoo | Nominated | |
| Best New Director | Kim Bora | Nominated | |
| Best Screenplay | Nominated | ||
| Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Film | House of Hummingbird | Nominated |
| Best Director | Kim Bora | Won | |
| Best Supporting Actress | Kim Sae-byuk | Won | |
| Best New Actress | Park Ji-hoo | Nominated | |
| Best New Director | Kim Bora | Nominated | |
| Best Screenplay | Nominated | ||
| Wildflower Film Awards | Grand Prize | Nominated | |
| Best Director | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress | Park Ji-hoo | Won | |
| Best Supporting Actress | Kim Sae-byuk | Nominated | |
| Best New Actress | Park Ji-hoo | Nominated | |
| Best Screenplay | Kim Bora | Nominated | |
| Best Cinematography | Kang Gook-hyun | Won |
References
- ^ "'House of Hummingbird' ('Beolsae'): Film Review | Busan 2018". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
- ^ "BIFF | 4–13 October 2018". www.biff.kr. Archived from the original on 19 January 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
- ^ "House of Hummingbird (2018)". Korean Film Biz Zone. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
- ^ "PRIZES OF THE GENERATION 14PLUS INTERNATIONAL JURY". Berlinale.
- ^ a b Richter, Marina D. (2019-07-01). "Interview with Bora Kim: "House of Hummingbird" is a fictional film based on very personal experiences". Asian Movie Pulse. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
- ^ Moon, Ji Hyuck. "Cracks Everywhere: How the Seongsu Bridge Collapse Changed Seoul's Urban Personality". acidemia.edu: 8.
- ^ a b c "Coming of Age in Korea: Kim Bora Discusses "House of Hummingbird"". MUBI. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
- ^ a b c "HOUSE OF HUMMINGBIRD Director KIM Bora". Korean Film Biz Zone. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
- ^ "Matija Strnisa | Film score composer | Berlin | Feature Film | Documentary | Commercial — House of Hummingbird". MATIJA STRNISA - Film score composer. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
- ^ House of Hummingbird (Beolsae) (2018), retrieved 2020-03-06
- ^ House of Hummingbird, retrieved 2020-03-06
- ^ Laffly, Tomris; Laffly, Tomris (2019-05-01). "Tribeca Film Review: 'House of Hummingbird'". Variety. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
- ^ "'House of Hummingbird' ('Beolsae'): Film Review | Busan 2018". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
- ^ "'House Of Hummingbird': Confident Debut Film That Delicately Questions The Fine Line Between Being Heartfelt & Being Harmful [Tribeca Review]". theplaylist.net. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
- ^ Bradshaw, Peter. "Classics of modern South Korean cinema – ranked!". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ^ "House of Hummingbird". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
- ^ Park, Ah-reum (March 9, 2020). "'엑시트' 개최 연기 춘사영화제 6개 부문 최다 노미네이트" [Held 'Exit' Acting Chunsa Film Festival's 6 Nominations]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 11, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2020 – via Naver.
