“Variation” is a K-Short directed by Ji-hoon Park screening at the 12th Korean Film Festival of Canada in Montreal 22May-7June2025.
“Variation” can be interpreted as an innocuous 24-hour snapshot of a relationship between a young Korean couple reuniting after previously ending their relationship. Alternatively, it may have a deeper meaning. In film multiple interpretations frequently point to a layered and complex production which we have here.
Veering off the innocuous interpretation route my take is that “Variation” tackles the ever-changing pattern of human romantic relationships. Like the continually changing tattoos on the man’s back a relationship is in a constant state of flux.
The repeated references to an airplane trip accentuate a relationship is rarely static but moves in as in a journey.
The woman states she wants the man to act just like the way he did when they first met but the reality of their relationship, even with a short 24-hour time period, is beyond what the relationship was in the past.
“Variation” screens 7June2025.
RKS 2025 Film Rating 73/100.
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