CCFF: Columbus shows the promise of Kogonada

Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Columbus may have been Kogonada’s first directorial feature film but it shows so much promise in what he’s going to offer us during the years to come.

Written and directed by Kogonada, Columbus stars John Cho, Haley Lu Richardson, Rory Culkin, Michelle Forbes, and Parker Posey.

Jin (Cho) finds himself in Columbus when his father ends up in a coma.  The city is known for its architecture given the modernist buildings.  While he’s not a fan, he starts up a friendship with Casey (Richardson), who is working at the library and avoiding college like the plague.  She gives him a tour of the city so to speak.  They both have their own issues: Jin’s relationship with his dad is estranged while Casey doesn’t want to leave her mom, who’s a former drug addict.

There’s an interesting style that Kogonada brings with the directing of this film.  I can’t quite put my finger on what it is but it’s just so enjoyable.

The distribution is unique for Columbus.  During Tuesday night’s Q&A session, Kogonada announced that the film is being distributed as part of a Sundance fellowship.  Columbus will bow in New York and Los Angeles on August 4th before expanding its run.

Danielle Solzman

Danielle Solzman is native of Louisville, KY, and holds a BA in Public Relations from Northern Kentucky University and a MA in Media Communications from Webster University. She roots for her beloved Kentucky Wildcats, St. Louis Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, and Boston Celtics. Living less than a mile away from Wrigley Field in Chicago, she is an active reader (sports/entertainment/history/biographies/select fiction) and involved with the Chicago improv scene. She also sees many movies and reviews them. She has previously written for Redbird Rants, Wildcat Blue Nation, and Hidden Remote/Flicksided. From April 2016 through May 2017, her film reviews can be found on Creators.

2 thoughts on “CCFF: Columbus shows the promise of Kogonada

  1. Danielle,

    I live in Columbus. I’ve lived here all my life and I’m excited about seeing this movie. I saw some of it being filmed. Do you believe it may possibly be released locally in Columbus on or before Aug 4th, or will we have to wait until full release nationwide?

Leave a Reply