The next film for the Phillip Island Movie Club’s 2024 members is showing at Berninneit on December 13.

Past Lives (2023) is an American Drama, written and directed by Celine Song.

The story is about Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), two deeply connected childhood friends, who are wrested apart after Nora's family emigrates from South Korea. Decades later, they are reunited for one week as they confront destiny, love and the choices that make a life.

Celine Song said in an interview that the idea of the film arose when she and her husband met up with her childhood sweetheart when he visited and the contradictions that arose from her relationships with both men.

That meeting is depicted in the film and shows the connections but also revealed to her that she felt less Korean than she had thought she was. Her Korean language, like many who leave their home country was still very childlike (this is not obvious to us in the film) and she chose Greta Lee partially because her Korean language was similar, having grown up and been educated in America.

The dialogues are very raw and real and show how the rest of the world disappears when the main characters are together.

Song believes when there is an absence of dialogue, the non-verbal communication forces the audience closer into the characters, showcasing their intimacy and that is why some people may feel the film is too slow a pace. However, this is a technique used to allow the viewers the time to absorb the emotions that flow. The film is a mix of nostalgia, love, remorse and exploring the “immigrant experience”.

The film screens at Berninneit and begins at 7pm.

Movie Club 2024 membership cards must be shown for entrance. It would be wise to pre book on Trybooking or the Berninneit desk (free of charge), as the general public is also able to attend.

The film is in English with some Korean with subtitles. It runs for 106 minutes and is rated PG.

The next film will be on Wednesday January 17, 2024 at 7pm.