MIFF favourite Hong Sang-soo reunites with Isabelle Huppert in this mysteriously tricksy comedy that won the Berlinale’s Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize.

Wide-eyed Iris (Huppert) is an expat adrift in Seoul. Eking out a strangely dislocated life mooching in the spare bedroom of a younger man, much to his mother’s ruffled chagrin, Iris teaches French to the locals using unusual methods that hint at deeper meanings. When she’s not working, she carves out time for little indulgences like long walks, lying around and sinking too much rice wine.

Few actors are as prolific or prodigiously accomplished as French screen icon Huppert – a skill set she shares with South Korean auteur Hong. A match made in cinematic heaven, they join forces for the third time in the director’s wistfully poetic 31st feature, following In Another Country (MIFF 2012) and Claire’s Camera (MIFF 2017). Surrender to this hypnotic film and you’ll be lulled by its elliptical patterns, artfully drawing concentric circles around its characters and their daily preoccupations. Within A Traveler’s Needs are untold riches ready to be mined as Hong and Huppert dance together once more.

“Hong and Huppert draw us into the strange, magnetic backstory of this woman with no history and no obvious future, appealing to our most inquisitive instincts for people-watching and story fabrication.” – Variety

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This film also screens as part of MIFF’s Food & Film program with a bespoke dining experience. Find out more here.