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House Of Hummingbird

Set against the backdrop of a rapidly expanding Seoul in 1994, a lonely 14-year-old Eun-hee moves through life like a hummingbird searching for a taste of sweetness wherever she may find it. Deprived of attention from her family, she roams the neighborhood with her best friend, attempts romantic relationships with both girls and boys alike and is sent to the hospital with an unclear diagnosis. When Young-ji, a new teacher, arrives, she becomes the first adult Eun-hee feels really understands her.

About the Director/Writer:

Bora Kim is a South Korean filmmaker and holds an MFA in film directing from Columbia University. Her recent short film, “The Recorder Exam” won numerous awards including the Best Student Filmmaker Award from The Directors Guild of America. The film was also a National Finalist for the 2012 Student Academy Awards.Kim’s debut feature “House of Hummingbird” received production support from Korean Film Council, Seoul Film Commission and Asian Cinema Fund of Busan International Film Festival. The film received post-production support from the Sundance Institute’s Feature Film Program and was selected as an IFP Narrative Lab Fellow. “House of Hummingbird” premiered at Busan International Film Festival in the prestigious New Currents section where it won the NETPAC award and the KNN Audience award. At the 69th Berlin International Film Festival, the film was awarded the Grand Prix of the Generation 14plus International Jury for the Best Film.

Cast & Crew:

Director: Bora Kim

Screenwriter: Bora Kim

Cast: Jihu Park, Saebyuk Kim, Seungyeon Lee, Ingi Jeong

Producers: Zoe Sua Cho, Bora Kim

Cinematographer: Gook-hyun Kang

Editor: Zoe Sua Cho

Composer: Matija Strniša

Film info:

Section: International Narrative Competition

Premiere: Arizona Premiere

Year: 2018

Length: 138 minutes

Language: Korean with English Subtitles

Country: South Korea

US Distributor: Well Go USA

International Sales Agent: Contents Panda

Connect: Website, Facebook, Twitter

Previous Festivals:

Berlin International Film Festival | Germany

Grand Prix for Best Film in Generation 14+ 

 

Tribeca Film Festival | USA

Best Actress in an International Narrative Feature Film

Best Cinematography in an International Narrative Feature Film

Best International Narrative Feature 

 

Istabul International Film Festival  | Turkey 

Golden Tulip Award for Best Film in International Competition

 

Seattle International Film Festival | USA

Grand Jury Award, Official Competition

 

Molodist Kyiv International Film Festival | Ukraine

Best Feature Film Award

FIPRESCI Jury Award for Best Feature Film

 

Seattle International Film Festival | USA

Grand Jury Award, Official Competition

 

Busan International Film Festival | South Korea 

Winner of NETPAC Award

Winner of KNN Audience Award

 

LA Asian Pacific International Film Festival | USA

Grand Jury Award for Best International Narrative Feature

 

Cyprus Film Days International Film Festival  | Cyprus 

Special Jury Award

 

Beijing International Film Festival | China 

Special Mention Award

 

Seoul Independent Film Festival

Winner of Best Film Award 

SIFF Committee Award

Reviews:

Rotten Tomatoes: 100%

 

“A warm, complex and hopeful slice of teen life…. Sensitive, keenly observed and unflinchingly honest…. an assured and affecting portrait of teenaged uncertainty and insecurity. Young actor Park Jihu turns in a surprisingly nuanced — and it could be said, mature — performance as Eunhee, crafting a blessedly layered character.”

                - Elizabeth Kerr, The Hollywood Reporter
“A striking debut… that feels a little like a feminist neo-realist film…. Kim's film is a compassionate piece on interpersonal connection that'll touch your heart when it's at its most vulnerable.”

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