Saturday, May 4, 4:00 p.m. & Sunday, May 12, 3:00 p.m. | Hoping to rebuild her life, Shin-ae (Jeon Do-yeon) moves to her late husband’s hometown with her young son. A shy piano teacher, Shin-ae hopes for a new beginning and the opportunity to grieve, but instead is untethered by locals who mistreat and manipulate her. A stirring portrait of heartbreak and resilience, the film received rapturous acclaim, with the New York Times calling SECRET SUNSHINE “the cinematic equivalent of prose that is clear, elegant and lyrical,” and Jeon justly winning the Best Actress prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

Awards & Nominations

Winner - Best Actress (Jeon Do-yeon), Cannes Film Festival
Nominee - Palme d’Or, Cannes Film Festival
Winner - Best Actress (Jeon Do-yeon), Best Director, Best Film, Asian Film Award
Winner - Best Actress (Jeon Do-yeon), Best Film, Asia Pacific Screen Awards

Lee Chang-dong: Redemption and Revelations: One of South Korea’s most celebrated contemporary auteurs, Lee Chang-dong’s relatively short but extraordinary filmography is reflective of his background as an acclaimed writer and influenced by his criticism of South Korea's cultural and political climates. Novelistic and character driven, his six feature films explore themes of trauma and anger, with individuals pushed to their breaking point by repressive systems, structures, and situations. View full series.

The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu