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First-time filmmaker sparks sensation at Berlin fest

Celine Song's Past Lives, already a breakout hit at last month's US film festival Sundance, is having its global launch at the Berlinale cinema showcase in the German capital.

Deborah Cole (AFP)
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Berlin, Germany
Tue, February 21, 2023

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First-time filmmaker sparks sensation at Berlin fest South-Korean Canadian director Celine Song attends a press conference for the film 'Past Lives' in competition at the Berlinale, Europe's first major film festival of the year, on February 19, 2023 in Berlin. (AFP/Stefanie Loos)

A

sked how it feels to see the glowing reviews and ecstatic audiences for her new continent-spanning love story, first-time filmmaker Celine Song leans forward, blushes a little and whispers: "awesome".

Song's Past Lives, already a breakout hit at last month's US film festival Sundance, is having its global launch at the Berlinale cinema showcase in the German capital.

The reception for the semi-autobiographical romantic drama set in South Korea, Toronto and New York City has been rapturous, with industry bible The Hollywood Reporter already promising it will be "one of the best films of the year".

The movie tells the story of Nora, who begins an innocent romance with her best friend Hae Sung when they are both 12, then loses touch with him when she and her family emigrate to Canada.

They pick up their connection again via social media about 12 years later after Nora, played by Greta Lee of Netflix's Russian Doll, moves to New York to pursue her dream of writing.

There, she falls in love with Arthur (John Magaro of The Big Short), a Jewish American, at an authors' retreat and eventually marries him.

Grown-up love

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