‘Travels and Days’ Brings Locarno Golden Leopard Home to Korea,Championing the Cinematic Experience
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A critically acclaimed exploration of artistry and self-discovery,Travels and Days,directed by Sho Miyake,has returned to Korea following its triumph at the 78th Locarno Film Festival,where it secured the prestigious Golden leopard award. The film, starring shim Eun-kyung, is poised to reignite conversations about the power of cinema and the irreplaceable experience of the movie theater.
Director Miyake, widely considered a leading figure in contemporary Japanese cinema, recently visited Seoul to discuss his latest work. He emphasized the film’s core tenet: realism. “Among the lines in the movie,the expression ‘realism’ is the most important,” he stated. “I hope the audience will feel a new sense of ‘being alive’ through this movie.”
Capturing the Invisible: The Essence of ‘Wind’
Miyake’s previous films, Your Bird Can Sing and All at Dawn, were lauded for their nuanced use of light. With Travels and Days, he embarked on a new challenge: capturing the intangible quality of wind. He explained the unique directorial approach, stating, “If we had focused on light and shadow so far, this assignment was about the wind. I also gave a lot of direction to the actors, telling them to ‘react to the wind that suddenly blows.’ My role was to look at the filming terrain and shout ‘action’ when the wind blew.”
The film’s narrative structure is equally innovative, unfolding as a story within a story. It follows Lee,a screenwriter played by Shim Eun-kyung,as she navigates a creative slump,with the first half presenting a play she has written and the second depicting her subsequent journey of self-discovery.This structure, according to Miyake, was designed to “recapture the surprise I felt when I first saw the movie.”
Shim Eun-kyung: The Heart of the Journey
The film’s connection to Korean audiences is considerably strengthened by the presence of Shim Eun-kyung. Their paths first crossed at the 2022 Busan International Film Festival, a meeting Miyake described as “fate.” He expressed unwavering confidence in her ability to embody the film’s themes, noting, “I was confident that actress Shim Eun-kyung was the right person to express the film’s core themes of ‘travel’ and ‘surprise at a place you visit for the first time.'”
Miyake further praised Shim Eun-kyung’s rare talent, observing, “Among actors, there are some who are described as beautiful and some who are described as funny. Shim Eun-kyung is a rare actress who possesses both of these charms.” This trust proved fruitful, culminating in the film’s international recognition at Locarno.
The Future of Cinema: A defense of the Theater
in an era dominated by streaming services and mobile viewing, Miyake passionately defends the theater experience. He articulated a compelling argument, stating, “If you look at a dinosaur on a cell phone, no matter how big the dinosaur is, its presence will not be felt. Only when you look up at it on a screen much larger than yourself will you feel a sense of awe. Making movies that can only be enjoyed in movie theaters is what I will do.”
Miyake intends to continue challenging cinematic norms with his future projects, promising a film that blends his evolving artistic vision with Shim Eun-kyung’s extraordinary acting abilities. Travels and Days will be released in Korea on December 10th, offering audiences a potent reminder of the magic that can only be found within the walls of a cinema.
