Hong Sang-soo's minimalist films, known for their non-linearity, slow pace, and everyday settings, delve into the complexities of memory, time, and mortality. For this paper, I would like to explore how Hong Sang-soo articulates the elusive concept of the present moment in his films, focusing on three recent works: In Front of Your Face (2021), In Water (2023), and In Our Day (2023). Drawing on Gilles Deleuze's concept of the "crystal-image”, this paper will analyze how Hong Sang-soo's stylistic choices, including long takes, static framing, and fragmented narratives, create a cinematic experience that confronts the audience with the present moment. Through these techniques, Hong constructs a cinematic space where multiple temporalities coexist, fracturing the linear flow of time. By engaging with Deleuze's ideas, this paper argues that these films offer a unique experience of the present, not as a singular point, but as a multifaceted and dynamic encounter with the interplay of past, present, and possibility, to wit: past memories, fleeting encounters, and the uncertainty of the future. Through this analysis, we gain a deeper understanding of Hong Sang-soo's artistic vision and his ability to invite viewers into a contemplative engagement with the immediacy of existence.

Authors:
Viraporn Kitikunkamjorn, Bangkok University, Thailand

About the Presenter(s)
Ms viraporn kitikunkamjorn is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at Bangkok University in Thailand

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