A Traveler's Needs

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A Traveler's Needs

Released Nov 22, 2024

1h 30m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

32 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

A comedy of improbable encounters and unlikely language lessons, A Traveler's Needs marks the third collaboration between Hong and Huppert (following 2012's In Another Country and 2017's Claire's Camera). This time Huppert plays Iris, a woman who finds herself adrift in Seoul and without any means to make ends meet, turns to teaching French via a très peculiar method. Through a series of encounters, as we grow to know more about Iris and her situation, the mysteries of her circumstances only deepen.

Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

A Traveler’s Needs feels like an experiment whose results are more intriguing than worth publishing.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jan 7, 2025

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Annette LePique

Chicago Reader

As the film is so intensely aware of Huppert’s presence and the charisma she carries, there’s a magical weight to her blankness, her unexplained idiosyncrasies.

Dec 11, 2024

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Clint Worthington

RogerEbert.com

Its rhythms are patient, easing you into one subtly profound moment of everyday human connection after another.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 22, 2024

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Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

There isn't much of a narrative... Hong Sang-soo teams up with masterfully understated actor Isabelle Huppert for a third time, simply observing interaction and forcing the audience to look under the surface for any resonant thoughts or feelings.

Rated: 3.5/5

Mar 20, 2025

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Diane Carson

KDHX (St. Louis)

While the lives captured may appear random and superficial, Hong effects a poignant examination of values and behavior

Dec 24, 2024

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Erik Reeds

Spectrum Culture

Every film of Sang-soo’s is unique to some degree, and his latest has plenty of distinguishing features to keep it from being an entirely experimental exercise in nothingness.

Nov 27, 2024

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Danielle H

Very quirky. A very small film, seeing for the offbeat humor and Huppert’s intriguing performance.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/28/24

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Moody C

Requires a bit of patience but it’s one of those subtle, talky films that if you pay attention, you’ll be rewarded. I actually prefer this over showy, over indulgent art films where you left wondering wat it was about because of all the exaggerated, embarrassing, face palming symbolism and metaphors.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/04/24

Full Review

Sujewa E

Minimalist comedy about a French woman in South Korea. Lots of awkward and funny moments. Filmed most likely on an old HD camcorder - not cinematic looking. But, should work for fans of early Jarmusch, Hal Hartley comedies. Deadpan, interesting.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/25/24

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Hong Sang-soo

Director

Isabelle Huppert

Actor

Lee Hye-young

Actor

Kwon Hae-hyo

Actor

Ha Seung-guk

Actor

Jo Yunhui

Actor

A Traveler's Needs: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A comedy of improbable encounters and unlikely language lessons, A Traveler's Needs marks the third collaboration between Hong and Huppert (following 2012's In Another Country and 2017's Claire's Camera). This time Huppert plays Iris, a woman who finds herself adrift in Seoul and without any means to make ends meet, turns to teaching French via a très peculiar method. Through a series of encounters, as we grow to know more about Iris and her situation, the mysteries of her circumstances only deepen.

Director: Hong Sang-soo
Producer: Kim Min-hee
Screenwriter: Hong Sang-soo
Distributor: The Cinema Guild
Production Co: Jeonwonsa Film
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Korean
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 22, 2024, Limited
Runtime: 1h 30m