CIFF47: PSQ March 22 – April 1, 2023 | Streams April 2 – April 9, 2023

Birthday
(Saeng-il)

Year: 2019
Country: SOUTH KOREA
Language: Korean
Run Time: 119 minutes

Birthday
Birthday
Birthday
Birthday

Jung-il left Korea in search of work to support his family, leaving behind a wife, son, and daughter. Eight years later, he returns to a daughter who doesn’t recognize him, a distant wife, and a deceased son. Their son died tragically in an accident that claimed the lives of his entire class. As Jung-il’s son’s birthday approaches, the strain on the couple’s relationship is exacerbated since they disagree on how to honor his memory. The director of the community bereavement center suggests organizing a public celebration for family, friends, and schoolmates. His wife prefers to grieve in solitude, but Jung-il sees an opportunity for communal support and restoration. BIRTHDAY is the story of an estranged husband and father fighting desperately to make amends and repair his family. It portrays grief’s impact on a population and its varied expressions. While grief can divide, separate, and alienate, it can also spark a resilience and fortitude to keep one’s family together and build a stronger community. (In Korean with subtitles) — R.R.

CIFF44 Screenings

Monday, March 30, 2020 at 8:15 PM

Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 1:35 PM

Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at 11:00 AM -
Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 10:00 PM

Accessibility (?)
Closed Captions: No
Audio Description: No
English Subtitles: No

Sidebar
Pan-Asian Cinema

Competition
International Narrative Competition

Director

Director
Lee Jong-un

Producers
Lee Joon-dong, Lee Dongha, Lee Chang-dong

Screenwriting
Lee Jong-un

Cinematography
Cho Yong-kyu

Editing
Shin Min-kyung

Principal Cast
Sul Kyung-gu, Jeon Do-yeon

Film Contact
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