05/09/2024 - The first film by French-Japanese director Koya Kamura, starring Bella Kim and Roschdy Zem, will compete in the Platform and New Directors sections

In Sokcho, a small seaside village in South Korea, 25-year-old Soo-Ha lives in a bit of a rut, in a rhythm punctuated by visits to her mother, a fishmonger, and her relationship with her boyfriend, Jun-Ho. When a French man named Yan Kerrand arrives in the boarding house where Soo-Ha works, it awakens within her questions about her own identity, and that of her French father, of whom she knows almost nothing. As winter settles over the town, Soo-Ha and Kerrand will observe and gauge each other, trying to communicate.

This is the synopsis of Winter in Sokcho [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Koya Kamura
film profile], the first feature by French-Japanese director Koya Kamura, which is having its world premiere in the Platform section of the Toronto International Film Festival (5-15 September) and is then screening in the New Directors section of the San Sebastián International Film Festival (20-28 September).

Based in Paris, the director studied film in both Paris and Tokyo. He directed a short film, Homesick, and is currently at work on his next feature, Evaporated.

Winter in Sokcho stars Korean actress Bella Kim and French actor Roschdy Zem (honoured with the collectively awarded Best Actor trophy at Cannes 2006 for Days of Glory [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jean Bréhat
interview: Rachid Bouchareb
film profile], as well as 2020’s Best Actor César for Oh Mercy! [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Arnaud Desplechin
film profile], nominated four times in the Best Supporting Role category, including in 2023 for The Innocent [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]). The film was produced by French company Offshore and Korean firm Keystone Films. Belgian company Be for Films handles its international sales.

Check out our exclusive clip below: