Burning

Lee Chang-dong : 2018
Beoning

Deliveryman Jong-su runs into Hae-mi, a girl he used to know who once lived nearby. She asks if he'd mind looking after her cat while she's away on a trip to Africa. On her return she introduces Jong-su to her new rich and handsome friend Ben, who she met during her trip. Ben is a coolly charming and enigmatic sociopath. "He's like Gatsby" mumbles Jong-su to Hae-mi. Ben confesses that he likes burning down greenhouses and that he plans to torch one in Jong-su's neighbourhood. Jong-su is keeping a close eye on things, but no greenhouse goes up in flames. Then he realises that he hasn't heard from Hae-mi in a while. In fact, she has disappeared without a trace. Based on a short story by Haruki Murakami, Lee Chang-dong's psychological thriller was winner of the FIPRESCI Prize when it premiered in competition at Festival de Cannes 2018.