The Director's Series: Celine Song, Past Lives


Throughout 2025 I'm turning my focus to Directors. They help craft the vision on screen that makes a movie work. This year I'm looking at five favorite films from 18 directors I admire and 10 films directed by different women that I have enjoyed. Join me Fridays and Saturdays throughout 2025 as we take this journey.

Past Lives (2023)
Starring: Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Magaro
Director: Celine Song
About: It feels right to be looking at this masterful film from Song during a year when her next film is coming out. This is a complex love story of three people spread out over 24 years. It's a captivating tale that pulls you in and pulls at your heart. But the way this story and the interactions of these people is told feels fresh and beautifully done. There are a lot of deep, emotional sequences that pull you in and hold you. It was one of my favorite films released in 2023 and remains a powerfully told film. I'll never look at people interacting in a bar or restaurant the same way again, either. Song has some beautiful shots and draws out some beautiful performances. I love Lee in the lead in this film. This also has an incredible and incredibly heart-breaking Third Act.

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