Sleepless Night

Jang Kun-jae : 2012
Jam mot deuneun bam

A bittersweet and atmospheric love story about a young couple who are considering whether they should have a baby. Just as new feelings can drift to the surface during a stroll on a hot summer night, intangible issues gradually take shape in this intimate study. Hyun-soo and Joo-hee have been happily married for two years, but in their innocent conversations on the sofa and in bed, or in discussions with friends, there are signs of discomfort. Minor irritations about unpaid overtime and of course the question of whether to have a child or not. They generally live a happy and fulfilled life as it is, with time for things like bike trips at night and sharing a glass of beer in their apartment. Although the film is fairly minimalist dramatically, we can feel that a lot is at stake. Whilst their relationship is still tender, a lot remains unanswered. Apart from in dreams. Then a stolen bicycle provides unexpected insights. Built around episodes from his own life, director Jang Kun-jae's feature is a magically evocative, universal story about making one's own choices in life. Winner of the audience award at Jeonju International Film Festival 2012, the film's European premiere screened at International Film Festival Rotterdam 2013.