Claire's Camera 2018

While working at a Korean film distribution company during the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, Jeon Man-hee faces unexpected pressure to resign from her position. Her boss, Nam Yang-hye, expresses a lack of trust in her, but fails to elaborate on the reason for this unexpected distrust. The true cause of her dismissal is a private affair she had with director So Wan-soo during the festival. Despite this setback, Man-hee chooses to stay in Cannes for the time being.

Meanwhile, a chance encounter occurs when Claire, a French teacher who has come to Cannes with a friend for a film screening, meets So at a cafe. Eager to connect, Claire invites him to a local library, where she passionately teaches him how to recite a French poem. While not a professional artist, Claire is a dedicated photographer, often seen capturing moments with her instant camera. During a dinner with So and Yang-hye, she reveals her photographs, including a candid snapshot of Man-hee from earlier that day. This raises eyebrows for So and Yang-hye, particularly regarding Man-hee’s unusually elaborate makeup.

As the plot thickens, it becomes clear that So and Yang-hye share a romantic connection, a relationship that likely contributed to Man-hee’s unfortunate firing. When So chooses to end this relationship, he justifies it by insisting that he wants to protect their professional ties from any potential risks.

Later, Claire encounters Man-hee on the beach after taking her photo. Their conversation leads Claire to reveal that she has never sampled Korean cuisine, prompting Man-hee to generously offer to cook for her. Man-hee invites Claire to her apartment hotel, where the two share a meal together. As dinner progresses, Claire confides in Man-hee about her previous interactions with So and Yang-hye, illuminating the intricate circumstances surrounding her dismissal.

Their paths intertwine again when Man-hee unexpectedly bumps into So at a hotel, where he criticizes her choice of clothing. Claire, who happens to be present, captures this moment with her camera, which flusters Man-hee. Later, she takes Claire to the cafe where her firing scenario unfolded and again photographs her, stating that she believes the only way to effect change is to “look at everything again, very slowly.”

In the course of their heartfelt conversations, Claire also shares the story of her boyfriend’s recent death, deepening the emotional connection between the two women. Shortly after, Yang-hye pays a visit to Man-hee at her apartment. While the details of their conversation remain undisclosed, the scene concludes with Man-hee returning to work, suggesting the complexities of her situation might not yet be over.