Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Shim Eun-kyung’s Japanese film ‘Two Seasons, Two Strangers’ invited to Locarno Film Festival
Actors Shim Eun-kyung, right, and Tsutsumi Shinichi in a scene from director Sho Miyake’s “Two Seasons, Two Strangers” / Courtesy of Atnine Film
By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean actor Shim Eun-kyung’s latest film, the Japanese production "Two Seasons, Two Strangers," has been officially invited to the International Competition section of the 78th Locarno Film Festival.
"Two Seasons, Two Strangers" was selected for the prestigious Swiss festival, which kicks off Aug. 6, the film’s Korean distributor Atnine Film said Thursday.
The film is the latest work from Sho Miyake, a director currently drawing significant attention not only in Japan but also globally, having received three consecutive invitations to the Berlin International Film Festival for his previous works, "And Your Bird Can Sing” (2018), "Small, Slow But Steady” (2022) and "All the Flowers Tell” (2024).
"Two Seasons, Two Strangers" is based on Yoshiharu Tsuge's acclaimed comic books. The film version follows Lee (Shim), a scriptwriter, who meets an innkeeper named Benzo (Tsutsumi Shinichi) during her travels.
Shim, widely known in Korea for her role in the 2011 hit movie "Sunny," has actively pursued a career in both Korea and Japan. Her notable Japanese work includes the 2019 film "The Journalist," for which she received the Best Actress award at the 43rd Japan Academy Film Prize.
The Locarno Film Festival selection committee lauded "Two Seasons, Two Strangers" as a film that showcases the highest level of Japanese cinema, according to Atnine Film. "The committee commented that the film is philosophical yet unpretentious, dreamy yet firmly grounded in reality," the distributor said.
"The Locarno Film Festival was the first international film festival I ever attended. Recalling the atmosphere there, filled with sincere respect for cinema itself, still humbles me,” Miyake said regarding the invitation to the festival.
"After more than 10 years, I am delighted and find it deeply meaningful to have this connection to return with 'Two Seasons, Two Strangers.' I am most proud of the sincere work that the actors and staff meticulously built up across the seasons."
Shim also shared her excitement, saying, "It is truly an honor to be part of director Sho Miyake's beautiful world. And I'm already thrilled at the thought of showcasing this film on the precious stage of the Locarno Film Festival.”
Shim added she was captivated by the screenplay.
"It is my favorite story among the screenplays I've read in recent years. Lee (the character she performs) is me and at the time she is also the audience. Nothing would make me happier than if the audience could travel through this film in the cinema,” she said.
"Two Seasons, Two Strangers" is slated for domestic release in Korea this winter.