Return to Seoul - 💥💥💥

Director: Davy Chou

Writers: Davy Chou and Laure Badufle

Release Date: 12th November 2022

Hot Rating: 💥💥💥

Synopsis: In Return to Seoul, writer-director Davy Chou tells the story of Freddie, a young woman who returns to her birth country of South Korea after living in France for most of her life. Freddie is adrift and searching for her place in the world, and her return to Seoul is an attempt to find some answers about her heritage and her family.

Review: In Return to Seoul, Davy Chou explores themes of identity and belonging through the story of Freddie, a young woman returning to her birth country. The film is visually stunning, capturing the beauty of Seoul and its countryside. Park Ji-Min delivers a strong debut performance as Freddie, conveying her sense of alienation and longing through the guise of arrogant and often erratic behaviour. The plot, too, poses a similar frenetic energy and does not always give itself a chance to resonate with viewers; the overall lack of connective tissue between the episodes in Freddie’s life makes for particularly disjointed viewing. Despite its flaws, Return to Seoul remains an interesting and thought-provoking film in the way that it raises intriguing questions about the search for home and self-discovery. While Freddie may not always be a sympathetic protagonist, the film's exploration of identity and the dynamic cinematography make it a worthwhile watch.