‘Past Lives’ delves into themes beyond romance
“We’ve all been a 12-year-old and I believe there are people who still remember, cherish and love that 12-year-old us … And to them, that 12-year-old is still alive,” said Celine Song, director of the Oscar-nominated film “Past Lives.”
Speaking to The Korea Times at a cafe in Jongno District, Seoul, Thursday, Song delved into the film’s exploration of lingering memories and the imprints we leave on life.
And that universal experience of longing and melancholy from the past resonated deeply with the international audience, leading to the film garnering 75 accolades worldwide and over 200 nominations, including Best Picture and Original Screenplay at this year’s Academy Awards.
The Korean Canadian director’s debut film, slated to hit local theaters on March 6, revolves around the Korean philosophy of “inyeon,” which touches on fate, destiny and the connections between people. It follows the story of two childhood friends Nora (Greta Lee) and Haesung (Yoo Teo), who grew apart after Nora left Korea and moved to the United States.
Years later, the two reconnect through social media. Despite living in different countries and moving on with their separate lives, their paths converge when Hae-sung travels to New York to meet Nora, who is now married, after 24 years. Their reunion sparks a fateful week of introspection, delving into themes of destiny, love, and the life choices that have shaped their relationship.
“This movie is about parts of our lives we’ve left behind along the way, so I chose the title with a broader meaning. ‘Past Lives’ not only speaks to the relationships depicted in the film, but also encompasses the various phases and experiences we undergo within our own lives. I believe that wherever we go, whatever time we’re in, and especially in connection with others, we leave a part of ourselves behind,” Song said.
Song’s inspiration for “Past Lives” stems from her personal experience, particularly from interpreting a conversation between a childhood friend from Korea and her American husband. That experience resonated deeply with her, serving as a bridge between her past and present selves.
“The two were each asking who I once was and who I am now… I felt like a bridge, traversing between the identities and histories within me. I was sitting there, but felt like I was in a room with my past, present, and future,” she said.
While the real-life experience did
not involve romance as depicted in the film, Song aimed to encapsulate the romantic essence of life in general.
She emphasized that she does not strictly define the film’s genre as romance, although it explores romantic themes.
“Frankly, I think this is a story about an interest in love. Many say (the film) is a romance story but, in my opinion, it’s about the romantic part of our life, itself. So I don’t specifically consider it has a main focus in the romance genre,” she said.
Yoo, the actor, devoted over three hours to his audition via Zoom for the role of an average Korean man, traveling overseas just to explore the fading connection with his childhood love.
Calling the film a life-changing experience, the actor shared that it helped him expand his acting horizon.
“I felt I have to truly understand and take in ‘inyeon’ to deliver genuine acting … Before, I put more focus on the technical skills I learned in school (in portraying characters), but I learned broader aspects with the film,” Yoo told The Korea Times.
Born and raised in Germany, Yoo developed the character drawing upon his own experiences of growing up abroad, searching for similarities and differences between himself and the role.
“With Hae-sung, I brought the sentiment of ‘han’ (a Korean word with a complex and nuanced meaning encompassing deep sorrow, resentment and yearning). I can fully understand the feeling of resentment that comes from having to accept the environment one’s in and not being able to change it,” he said.
“This can be manifested in various ways such as anger, resentment or a bittersweet smile, and I tried to incorporate them into the character.”
Yoo’s ability to channel his emotional depth into the character resulted in a portrayal rich in nuanced expressions.
“Growing up in different cultures made me feel lonely at times, unsure of where I belonged. However, I now see it as a blessing. It’s a privilege as an actor, giving me a wider range of emotions to draw upon,” Yoo said.
This movie is about parts of our lives we’ve left behind
along the way.