Burning

After winning Cannes' FIPRESCI International Critics’ Prize for best film in the section, writer-director Chang-dong’s Burning, was selected as South Korea’s Best Foreign Language Film entry for the 91st Academy Awards. The film marks Chang-dong's first feature in 8 years following his Cannes Best Screenwriting Award winning drama Poetry (2010).
Burning's unique multi-genre and multifaceted plot masterpiece encompasses a visually and emotionally riveting drama, with the right degree of intensity and tension between a haunting psychological mystery-thriller and comedy.

Based on an adaptation of Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami's short story Barn Burning (1992), the narrative can be understood on many different levels, yet nothing is what it appears. On a superficial level, Burning is an unconventional love triangle between three lonely, intertwined lives, the shy Jong-su (Yoo Ah-in), his childhood friend Haemi (Jun Jong-seo), and her new wealthy friend Ben (The Walking Dead’s Steven Yeun). On a deeper level, the script offers a commentary on society's inequalities within the sexes and social class differences.

First rate screenwriting by Oh Jung-mi and Lee Chang-dong, performances by Yoo Ah-in, Yeun Steven, and Jun Jong-seo, cinematography by Hong Kyung-pyo and score by Mowg increase the immersive quality of the film.