Shooting Retriever in Seoul
I worked as director of photography on RETRIEVER,, a short film directed by KIM JOO-HWAN. The film was selected for the Short Film Corner (COURT MÉTRAGE) at the FESTIVAL DE CANNES and screened there between May 16 and May 22, 2016. Being part of this project and seeing it presented in Cannes was a meaningful moment for everyone involved.
A Story Set on the Streets of Seoul
Retriever follows Ri Kwang, played by Moon Seon-yong, a homeless Korean-Chinese man living in Seoul. One day, he makes a simple decision: he wants to raise a dog. What begins as a practical thought slowly turns into something more complicated and emotional. The film stays close to his daily reality and lets small moments carry the story forward.
From Transaction to Responsibility
Ri Kwang adopts a dog from an abandoned animal center with the intention of selling it to a health facility. At first, the motivation is money. However, when he refuses to accept an unfair price for an old guide dog, something shifts. That decision becomes the starting point of a genuine bond, one built less on need and more on responsibility.
Building the Emotional Layers
As the story unfolds, Ri Kwang faces a series of quiet but difficult situations. Feeding the dog stolen chocolate or ending up in the hospital are not dramatic plot devices but everyday events that slowly reveal his inner conflict. The film looks at how society treats abandoned animals and people living on the margins, without forcing conclusions.
Working with Director Kim Joo-hwan
Director Kim Joo-hwan approached Retriever with a restrained and thoughtful tone. After his debut feature Koala in 2013, this short film allowed him to explore similar emotional territory in a more condensed form. His direction relied on trust, patience, and observation, which strongly shaped how I approached the cinematography.
Cannes Short Film Corner
The invitation to the Short Film Corner at the 69th Cannes Film Festival placed RETRIEVER in an international context. While non-competitive, the platform allowed the film to be seen and discussed alongside a wide range of independent work from around the world. For a small film shot on the streets of Seoul, that exposure mattered.
A Quiet Film About Connection
On the surface, Retriever is about the relationship between a man and a dog. Underneath, it reflects on homelessness, dignity, and how easily people are overlooked. As a cinematographer, my focus was to support that tone visually and stay close to the characters without drawing attention to the camera.
Closing Thoughts
Retriever is a modest film with a clear emotional core. Being part of it reminded me how powerful simple stories can be when they are observed carefully. I’m grateful to the director, cast, and crew, and to everyone who gave the film a space to be seen.
