Introduction

“In the steady yet playful hands of Hong Sangsoo, even the simplest premise can become a puzzle box of unpredictable, poignant human behavior. There could be no better example of his casual mastery than this breezy yet complexly structured study of a group of characters—most crucially parents and their grown offspring—trying to relate to one another via a series of thwarted or stunted meetings and introductions. Introduction is centered around Youngho (Shin Seokho), a young man on the cusp of adulthood, confused about his romantic relationships and professional goals, who visits both of his parents and travels to Berlin to surprise his girlfriend. In each instance, he anticipates an important conversation, but sometimes a shared look, or a shared smoke, can mean as much as anything we could say to those close to us. It’s a film that keeps opening up to the viewer through digressions and reversals, leading to one of Hong’s most amusingly unsettling soju-soaked outbursts.” -New York Film Festival