The Mutation

Se-oh is a native Korean, born Black to Korean parents. Frustrated with a lifetime of having to explain his origins, Se-oh fills an expensive suitcase with a reward and offers it to any willing stranger in exchange for two days of friendship. His offer is taken up by Sora, a lonely artisan mourning the loss of her girlfriend. What follows is an affecting odd couple road movie that rings achingly true at every turn and casts a pointedly critical eye on intolerance – “what is normal, anyway,” asks Sora – and the social scourge of loneliness. Shin’s direction is beautifully calibrated, with wonderful performances by Lee Zoo-young and Han Hyun-min in his first leading role.