Asian Film Festival of Dallas 2010

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“The frog can’t remember his tadpole days.”

Director Ku is an art house filmmaker (“very famous…in east Asia“) tasked with judging a film festival.  Never on time, sleeping through screenings and filled with self-importance, Ku’s stream-of-consciousness narration makes it clear he couldn’t be bothered by the slightest inconveniences, like, say, watching films or having meaningful connections with other people.  He makes promises he will never keep.  He takes a superior path when faced with a director who has had greater success than him, claiming artistic integrity.  And when he meets up with an old friend who invites him home for dinner, Ku wakes the next day wondering what happened that was so bad that he must flee the town.

The second half of the film has Ku arriving in a new town to give a lecture to some film students.  There, he is welcomed into the home of an old mentor who has a very young and attractive wife.  Situations repeat themselves;  results vary.

LIKE YOU KNOW IT ALL has the feel of an Asian CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, as Ku is self-centered enough while also often being correct in his considerations of those around him, yet he never quite comes out on top in any given situation.  Frequently ridiculed and held in contempt, Ku is destined only to preside prominently in his own mind.

Light, funny and surprisingly thoughtful, LIKE YOU KNOW IT ALL makes a most amusing case for narcissism and tactless behavior.

Director

Hong Sang-soo

Cast

Kim Tae-woo, Uhm Ji-won, Go Hyun-jung

Country

South Korea

Language

English Subtitles, Korean

Alternate Titles

잘 알지도 못하면서 (Jal Al-ji-do Mot-ha-myeon-seo)

Release Date

2009

Runtime

126 minutes

Print Source

Jiyoon Lim
FineCut Co., Ltd.
jiyoon@finecut.co.kr

Exhibition Format

35mm