In a year marked by powerful cinematic releases, Celine Song’s directorial debut, “Past Lives,” stands out for its profound emotional impact. The film, featured on the Best Films of 2023 list, follows the nuanced journey of Nora (Greta Lee), happily married in New York until a reunion with childhood sweetheart Hae Sung (Teo Yoo) unravels a cascade of deeply moving moments.
Empire magazine recently caught up with Song and the cast to discuss the enduring impact of “Past Lives” and its creation. Greta Lee shares her surprise at the overwhelming response, recounting encounters with fans, including a memorable interaction in a grocery store. “It just makes me feel like my heart’s cracked wide open,” she reflects.
The film’s ability to evoke powerful emotions is attributed to its careful portrayal on screen. Notably, a Skype call scene, orchestrated by Song, involved live interactions with glitching connections. Teo Yoo describes Song as a “sadistic DJ,” freezing connections without the actors’ knowledge to heighten the realism. Song explains her approach, stating, “It had to be hard for these two people to talk to each other.”
The meticulous planning extended to controlling cast interactions to capture genuine intensity during shooting. John Magaro recalls his first shot with Teo being their actual meeting, emphasizing the difficulty of facilitating such encounters without crossing paths. The on-screen results speak for themselves, promising viewers an experience that may leave their hearts similarly “cracked open.”
Months after its release, “Past Lives” continues to resonate with audiences, leaving an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape.
