Are you ready to embark on a puzzling adventure with Iris? In Hong Sangsoo’s latest short film, “A Traveler’s Needs,” we are introduced to a petite enigma who dresses to both attract attention and blend into the background. Iris, portrayed by the talented Isabelle Huppert, wears a vibrant sundress adorned with red and violet blossoms, paired with an eye-catching green cardigan reminiscent of green-screen backdrops. As she effortlessly merges into the surroundings, we can’t help but wonder where she came from and where she’s headed.
Hong Sangsoo, the master of cryptic storytelling, invites us to engage in his game of filling in the gaps. Iris, with her captivating charm and quizzical demeanor, allows us to glimpse into her world. The film plays with our assumptions and judgments, urging us to delve deeper into the complex nature of human connections. However, don’t expect a definitive scorecard for your guesswork – Hong leaves us to contemplate our interpretations without providing clear answers.
The journey begins in the sparsely furnished home of Isong, played by Kim Seungyun. Iris initiates a unique questioning game, as Isong performs a beautiful piano piece. Behind her serene facade, Isong reveals her true emotions upon Iris’ persistent inquiries. With a mixture of French and English, their halting conversation hints at Iris possibly being Isong’s French tutor. The calm, yet invasive, probing makes us question whether it’s a teaching technique or simply Iris’ way of engaging in conversation.
Throughout the film, we witness similar encounters between Iris and other individuals, with subtle shifts in mood. It becomes evident that Iris isn’t a professional teacher, but rather someone who relies on improvised language lessons to support herself in an unfamiliar city. Each encounter presents an opportunity to explore the unpredictable path of Iris’ routine. Her second lesson, with Wonju – portrayed by Lee Hyeyoung, offers poignant memories of family and childhood. In exchange, Iris shares her own melancholic reflections on mortality. Hong’s signature technique of reusing scenes and setups with slight variations adds to the enigmatic charm of the film.
As our time with Iris progresses, she becomes more elusive, leading to a series of nervously funny exchanges in her apartment shared with mild-mannered student Inguk (Ha Seongguk). The mystery surrounding their arrangement confounds Inguk’s mother, who openly questions Iris’ motives. Nonetheless, Iris’ age and genuine sincerity win Inguk over, despite the judgment of others. In Hong and Huppert’s hands, we are drawn into the magnetic backstory of a woman with no past or foreseeable future. With our curiosity sparked, we create our own ideas of who Iris might be.
Huppert’s delicate portrayal of Iris allows us to experience her range of emotions, from moments of anxiety to pure delight. We may never fully grasp her thoughts, but her face reveals a wealth of feelings. Unaffected by others’ opinions, Iris finds contentment in solitary moments, savoring a bowl of bibimbap in a quiet café or indulging in makgeolli, a milky rice wine that brings a sense of tranquility. Whether she is blissful or sorrowful, it’s up to us to project our own interpretations onto Iris. Hong’s subtle and slippery storytelling reminds us that living in the present tense can be a profound and intriguing experience.
Join Iris on her enigmatic journey in “A Traveler’s Needs,” and let your imagination roam free. Discover the beauty in the unknown, and remember, sometimes it’s the unanswered questions that make life truly fascinating.
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Source: Variety