User:Lily538/House of Hummingbird

Writing
Kim Bora, who also wrote the script as well as directing draws from her own childhood as inspiration for this coming of age film. Focusing on a pivotal moment in her life, the collapse of the Seongsu bridge in 1994. Her intended outcome as stated in an interview by Marina D. Ritcher was to create a, "fictional film based on very personal experiences." She wanted to highlight to rapid modernization of Korea and the consequences that came with trying to change too much too quickly. Ji Hyuck Moon in his article "Cracks Everywhere: How the Seongsu Bridge collapse Changed Seouls Urban Personality" talks about the phrase, "Bbali, bbali" that was used to describe this rapid-modernization that Kim portrays in her film.

Casting
As for casting the main role of Eun-hee,it took director Kim Bora three years to find her perfect Eun-hee, Park Ji-hu. They first met in the audition room where Park Ji-hu was asked to read a scene with her onscreen mentor Yeong-ji, Bora states Park Ji-hu was "everything I was hoping for."

Filming
Cinematographer KANG Kuk-hyun's goal was to remain as true to the time period as possible and make the film as realistic looking as possible. Throughout the film Kang Kuk-hyun and Kim Bora worked to use the camera to bring out Eun-hee's emotions, every move of the camera was intentional to bring out the maximum emotional impact. Boras goal on the other hand as director, was not to portray any one character negatively, saying that by giving a more nuanced portalyal of the characters she shows how "no one can win in a patriarchal system."

Soundtrack
Matija Strniša who wrote the music for House of Hummingbird won the best original score for his work at the Valenica film festival. The music was made to be electronic and also represent the time period, described as "classical inspired electronic music."

Critic Response
House of Hummingbird had a generally positive critical response. To this day it holds a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, with a total of 12 critical reviews. On Metacritc, the film has an overall score of 79 out of 100 out of a total out of 4 positive reviews.

Tomris Laffly from Variety describes the film as capturing the "soft-hued timeless look" of a time period that remains somewhat "hazy." Her review praises the no intrusive way Bora Kim explores Eun-hee's sexuality, never giving it a strict label and allowing the viewer join watch Eun-hee in her journey of self discovery. While she does admit the movie may have been too long for its premise, overall she states it "fleeting reality of female adolescence with sympathy" and intwines the "workings of both family and society."

Elizabeth Kerr fromThe Hollywood Reporter chose to focus more on the femininity of film. Overall she describes, "Sensitive, keenly observed and unflinchingly honest," and claims that it deserves success in its upcoming run. She praised the relationship that forms between Eun-hee and Yeong-ji, saying when the two share are on screen together they are allowed to fully be free in a way of quotidian struggles.

Andrew Bundy from The Playlist talks about how the film explores the fine line of "harsh and heartfelt communication" which Yeong-ji helps Euh-hee discover it difference all comes down to personal understanding. While a little long, Bundy praises the film on exploring the path to show the importance of empathy and understanding.

Box Office
Domestically, in South Korea House of Hummingbird grossed $997,953. It opened in 140 theaters and in its opening weekend it made $103,027.