Berlinale Review: What Does That Nature Say to You is Hong Sangsoo's Take on Meet the Parents.

      The last time Hong Sangsoo was not included in a Berlinale program, Childish Gambino's "This is America" was topping the charts and Green Book was on its way to defeating Roma at the Oscars. Besides 2019, one would have to look back to the Obama administration to find an edition without the South Korean director's name. Within those six years, the festival has experienced three different creative directors, endured a global pandemic, and been burdened by its own political commitments. In other words, while some things change, Hong remains a constant. He still frustrates his critics and provides comfort to his fans. If, like me, you belong to the latter group, you'll likely find much to appreciate in What Does That Nature Say to You, the director’s latest comedic melodrama and his closest attempt at reimagining Meet the Parents.

      Just as understated and charming as last year’s A Traveler’s Needs, albeit without Isabelle Huppert to take the spotlight, Nature finds Hong returning to the shared joys of his less star-studded ensemble films. Ha Donghwa (played by Ha Seong-guk) and Kim Junhee (played by Kang Soyi) have been dating for several months when they arrive at Junhee’s family home and encounter her father, Kim Oryeong (a regular in Hong's films, Kwon Hae-hyo), in the driveway. “He drove me here,” she informs her father, allowing an awkward silence to settle before revealing the news, which Oryeong surprisingly accepts well. This reaction could be due to two reasons: his potential son-in-law's family ties (his father is a prominent lawyer) and his 96 KIA Pride, a retro car that Kim takes for a nostalgic drive. Later, they share a cigarette on the estate grounds and engage in meaningful conversation as Junhee discusses life with her sister. The younger generation then strolls to visit some pagodas before reconnecting with Junhee’s parents for a roast chicken dinner. Everything seems to be going well until Oryeong brings out a bottle of bourbon, leading to a shift in the conversation.

      After a somber period a couple of years back, it’s refreshing to see the director return to a lighter tone. While Nature may not have the absurdist energy of Traveler’s Needs, it offers rewards in subtler ways. The conversations between Donghwa and Oryeong are inherently fraught with territorial tensions, yet Hong approaches their dynamic with curiosity and goodwill. After discovering that Oryeong's family helped him shape the landscape around the house to create a picturesque view of a nearby lake, Donghwa sincerely expresses admiration for what he calls the “filial bond.” The dialogue about the car is played for humor but reflects endearing insecurities as well. Everything is meticulously observed, as fans of Hong have come to expect, especially the performances. The Geakholli eventually flows. The awkward humor generally succeeds. The images may be slightly blurred. If you're familiar with Hong's style, you know what to expect.

      I can’t confirm if the opening music—a lovely synth piece composed by Hong, who is also credited as writer, editor, producer, sound designer, and cinematographer—pays tribute to Angelo Badalamenti, but it wouldn’t surprise me; in any case, it perfectly establishes the film's melancholic atmosphere. A day will come when he chooses to explore other themes in February, but I’m grateful that it isn’t this year.

      What Does That Nature Say to You had its premiere at the 2025 Berlinale.