Program Note
Assistant director, Seung-joo, dreams of directing his own work, but achieving this dream is not easy. Once again, he finds himself in the role of an assistant director, this time traveling to Kazakhstan to shoot a documentary about a wedding. However, due to a sudden car accident involving the director, the planned shoot is canceled, and only the production budget wasted. In this harsh environment, Seung- joo decides to plan a fake wedding shoot in order to complete the documentary, spurred on by the representative’s promise to produce Seung-joo’s directorial debut if he succeeds. The more desperate the goal, the more agonizing the reality he finds oneself in, so it is easy to succumb to temptation in order to achieve his goal. However, the goals achieved through such a process are bitter, not sweet. This film conveys an obvious truth of life, shining with the beautiful scenery of Kazakhstan and the warm performances of the actors, making the message even more distinct. As the true meaning of the name “Dauren”, chosen by Seung-joo for the fake wedding, is revealed in the ending, a smile naturally forms on viewers’ faces. (Martin LEE)