Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: AFTER YANG [Sundance Film Festival 2022 - Virtual]
The idea of purpose against notions of what existence means and where memory lies is an interesting metaphor in the curved narrative of "After Yang" [Spotlight]. Writer/Director Kogonada is perhaps most known for his film essays out of South Korea so his filmic style is bathed in the aspect of the old masters like Ozu and others. The texture of imprint and the frame reflects in his perception of this specific world. It is shown in a moving palette but in a way it comes off a little too still and quiet as if the characters are waiting for life to simply blow them away on a wind or a whim. Colin Farrell, looking exceptionally thin (maybe because of being in the intense sweat from playing Penguin in the suit for "The Batman") approaches the acting in this space from a zen, almost "Solaris" presence. He is living existence with his wife and adopted daughter in what seems a calm but slightly cold life. The film is set in the future (but not too far from now) and the notion of a certain kind of android or clone population integrates with this culture.
This is either because of a certain biological calamity or birth rate issue. Kogonada is smart in not overexplaining what is exactly transpiring and the structure plays to a revelation of past and present. The story unfolds almost passively with Farrell and Jodie Turner Smith (as his wife) almost passing each other like ghost in the nights while seemingly shuffling around their daughter (whom they love but cannot seemingly connect with). The Yang of the title (played by Justin Min of "The Umbrella Academy") is both friend and mystery. One scene between him and Smith about the notion of fear and acceptance really paints the resonance of the film especially when it is reflected in the final note, melody and shot of the film, which is subtle and yet resonant. "After Yang" moves at its own pace (like its director) but it does show a sure hand of texture, melding a science fiction basis while letting its characters find their way in their own time. B
By Tim Wassberg
