Kogonada

Korean American filmmaker and critic

Not to be confused with the Japanese screenwriter Kogo Noda.

Kogonada

Kogonada in 2017

Born|

Seoul, South Korea

Occupation(s)| Video essayist, filmmaker
Years active| 2012–present
Children| 2
Website| kogonada.com

Kogonada is a South Korean-born American filmmaker.[1] After first gaining recognition for his video essays that analyze the content, form, and structure of various films and television series, he has become best known for writing and directing the feature films Columbus (2017) and After Yang (2021). His accolades include a Sundance Film Festival award as well as nominations for the Cannes Film Festival and the British Academy Film Awards.

## Early life, family and education

[edit]

Kogonada was born in Seoul.[2] He emigrated from South Korea as a child and was raised in Indiana and Chicago.[3]

## Career

[edit]

Kogonada posted his first video essay in January 2012.[4] Using clips from the American television series Breaking Bad, the video displays the series' use of numerous point-of-view shots from unusual angles and objects. Kogonada was inspired to create the video essay while he watched the series, noticing a recurring visual aesthetic used throughout the series.[5][6] In February 2013, he was commissioned by the British Film Institute to create a video essay on the films of Hirokazu Kore-eda for their publication Sight & Sound. He subsequently did additional commissioned work for Sight & Sound[6] as well as for The Criterion Collection,[7] Samsung,[8] and the Lincoln Motor Company.[9] In March 2016, Kogonada was part of the official jury for the 16th LPA Film Festival at the Canary Islands, Spain, where he taught a master class and had screenings for 14 of his video essays at the "Bande à part" section.[10][11][12]

His feature directorial debut was Columbus (2017), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival before receiving a limited theatrical release by the Sundance Institute on August 11, 2017.[13][14][15] He also wrote and edited the film.[13] The film received wide acclaim from critics and garnered nominations at the Independent Spirit Awards and Gotham Independent Film Awards.[16][17][18]

Kogonada next wrote, edited, and directed the science fiction film After Yang (2021), which had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and its North American premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Alfred P. Sloan Prize.[19][20] The film was favorably received by critics and in 2024 was named the 9th best science fiction film of the 21st century by IndieWire.[21][22]

In 2022, Kogonada directed four episodes of the first season of Pachinko, which garnered several accolades, including a Peabody Award and a Critics' Choice Award.[23][24] He continued his television work by directing two episodes of the Star Wars television series The Acolyte (2024).[25] He has also been tapped to direct a limited series about Vincent Chin, with Chloé Zhao executive producing.[26]

Kogonada directed the upcoming romantic fantasy film A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (2025) from a screenplay by Seth Reiss. The film stars Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell and is scheduled to be released in the United States on September 19, 2025.[27]

## Technique

[edit]

Kogonada's video essays typically showcase a particular theme or aesthetic regularly used by a filmmaker either throughout a filmography or within a single work.[6] Some examples are his three video essays on the aesthetics of American director Wes Anderson, who is known for using unusually symmetrical framing in his films.[28][29][30]

His video essays are formed through the juxtaposition of images, conveying thoughts through a particular arrangement of clips.[31] In an interview for Nashville Scene in March 2015, Kogonada likened creating video essays with preparing sushi: "With sushi, every cut matters. And so do the ingredients. Those two ongoing choices are the difference. What you select, and how you cut it." In comparing written essays with visual essays, Kogonada noted how words form precise observations of ideas, while visuals could convey a particular idea without providing a definite explanation. He explained that "[i]f you want to delve deep into theory, texts are the perfect medium .... However, when I'm making visual essays, I treat words as supplementary."[6]

## Pseudonym

[edit]

Kogonada, whose real name is unknown, took his pseudonym from Kogo Noda, a frequent screenwriter of Yasujirō Ozu's films.[1][32] He explained to Filmmaker:

> I like Chris Marker's idea about your work being your work. I’ve also never identified much with my American name, which always feels a little strange to see or hear ... And I'm quite fond of heteronyms.[31]

In a 2018 interview with the Financial Times, Kogonada stated:

> If I'm honest, the pseudonym was about being an Asian-American too. There is something about being an immigrant in America and having the power to name yourself.[33]

## Filmography

[edit]

Film

Year  | Title  | Director  | Writer  | Notes

|
|
|
|

2017  | Columbus | Yes  | Yes  | Also editor
2021  | After Yang | Yes  | Yes
2025  | A Big Bold Beautiful Journey | Yes  | No  | Also executive producer

Television

Year  | Title  | Director  | Executive
producer  | Notes

|
|
|
|

2022  | Pachinko | Yes  | Yes  | 4 episodes
2024  | The Acolyte | Yes  | No  | 2 episodes

## Accolades

[edit]

Year  | Award  | Category  | Title  | Result

|
|
|
|

2021  | Cannes Film Festival | Un Certain Regard Award | After Yang | Nominated
2022  | Peabody Awards | Entertainment  | Pachinko | Won[34]
Gotham Awards | Breakthrough Series - Longform | Won
Sundance Film Festival | Alfred P. Sloan Best Feature Film | After Yang | Won
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards | Best Adapted Screenplay | Won
2023  | British Academy Film Awards | Best International TV Series | Pachinko | Nominated

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Bray, Catherine (2022-09-23). "'An empty room can break me': meet Kogonada, the director who is desperate for connection". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
2. ^ Ciampaglia, Dante A. (8 August 2017). "In Columbus, Filmmaker Kogonada Begins a New Conversation About Modernism". Architectural Record. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
3. ^ Yu, Brandon (2022-03-04). "With His Sci-Fi Android, a Filmmaker Considers What It Means to Be Alive". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-09-03.
4. ^ "Film Studies in Motion: Breaking Bad // POV [by Kogonada]". Film Studies in Motion: From audiovisual essay to academic research video. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
5. ^ :: kogonada (9 January 2012). "Breaking Bad // POV on Vimeo". Vimeo. Vimeo, Inc. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
6. ^ a b c d Ridley, Jim (19 March 2015). "kogonada: The Image Master". Nashville Scene. Southcomm Inc. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
7. ^ kogonada. "Watch Criterion Designs". The Criterion Collection. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
8. ^ kogonada (2015-06-15). Elemental. Retrieved 2025-02-23 - via Vimeo.
9. ^ "Expansion: The Feeling Stays With You on Vimeo". 2018-02-08. Archived from the original on 8 February 2018. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
10. ^ Hidalgo, Mónica (9 March 2016). "Kogonada and Simone Grau, at the Festival's Workshops". LPA Film Festival. Promocion Ciudad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria SA. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
11. ^ "KOGONADA'S WORKS". :: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film Festival. Ayuntamiento de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
12. ^ Hidalgo, Mónica (11 March 2016). "Kogonada's film essay works, in Bande à part". LPA Film Festival. Promocion Ciudad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria SA. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
13. ^ a b Hoeij, Boyd van (2017-01-27). "'Columbus': Film Review | Sundance 2017". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
14. ^ Blair, Brian (2017-05-04). "Sundance to help distribute 'Columbus' movie". The Republic News. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
15. ^ Brooks, Brian (2017-08-06). "Taylor Sheridan's 'Wind River' Opens Robust; 'Step' OK – Specialty Box Office". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
16. ^ "Columbus Reviews". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
17. ^ Cox, Gordon (2017-10-19). "'Get Out' Leads 2017 Gotham Awards Nominations". Variety. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
18. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2017-11-21). "Spirit Award Nominations: 'Call Me By Your Name', 'Lady Bird', 'Get Out', 'The Rider', 'Florida Project' Best Pics". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
19. ^ "The films of the Official Selection 2021". Festival de Cannes. 2021-06-03. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
20. ^ "2022 Sundance Film Festival: Feature Films, Indie Episodic, New Frontier Lineups Announced - sundance.org". 2021-12-09. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
21. ^ "After Yang Reviews". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
22. ^ Chapman, Wilson (2024-03-05). "The 65 Best Sci-Fi Movies of the 21st Century, from 'Melancholia' and 'M3GAN' to 'Asteroid City'". IndieWire. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
23. ^ Coates, Tyler (2023-05-09). "Peabody Awards: 'Abbott Elementary,' 'Andor,' 'Severance' and 'We're Here' Among Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
24. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (2023-01-16). "Critics Choice Awards: Full List of Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
25. ^ Davids, Brian (2024-06-13). "'Star Wars: The Acolyte' Stars Talk Kogonada and Adapting the High Republic Into Live-Action". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
26. ^ White, Peter (2022-08-30). "Chloé Zhao-Exec Produced Vincent Chin Scripted Series Adds Kogonada & Christopher Radcliff To Write & Direct". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
27. ^ Stephan, Katcy (2025-03-10). "Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell's 'A Big Bold Beautiful Journey' Delayed From May to September". Variety. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
28. ^ :: kogonada (30 January 2012). "Wes Anderson // From Above on Vimeo". Vimeo. Vimeo, Inc. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
29. ^ The Fox & Mr. Anderson. YouTube. March 11, 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
30. ^ :: kogonada (17 March 2014). "Wes Anderson // Centered on Vimeo". Vimeo. Vimeo, Inc. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
31. ^ a b Macaulay, Scott (17 July 2014). ":: kogonada". Filmmaker Magazine. Filmmaker Magazine. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
32. ^ Buder, Emily (2017-08-08). "'Columbus': Video Essayist Kogonada on His Stunning Feature Debut and Why Critics Should Make Movies". No Film School. Retrieved 2019-12-05. "While writing a Ph.D. dissertation on Yasujirō Ozu, Kogonada—the nom de guerre of the Korean-born director, inspired by Ozu's screenwriter, Kogo Noda—came across an article about a little-known town called Columbus, Indiana."
33. ^ Leigh, Danny (2018-09-28). "Director Kogonada: 'Film gave me breath'". Financial Times. Retrieved 2022-09-03.
34. ^ Voyles, Blake (September 14, 2023). "83rd Peabody Award Winners". Retrieved September 14, 2023.

## Literature

[edit]

* Thomas Elsaesser, Malte Hagener, Film Theory: An Introduction through the Senses, 2nd, Routledge, 2015, 246 p; ISBN 1317581148, ISBN 9781317581147.
* For the Love of Cinema: Teaching Our Passion In and Outside the Classroom / Rashna Wadia Richards, David T. Johnson, Indiana University Press, 2017, p. 185; ISBN 0253030129, ISBN 9780253030122.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Kogonada at IMDb
* Kogonada's channel on Vimeo

* v
* t
* e

Films directed by Kogonada

* Columbus (2017)
* After Yang (2021)
* A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (2025)

* v
* t
* e

Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay

Screenplay
(1980–2021)|

* Bo Goldman (1980)
* Andre Gregory and Wallace Shawn (1981)
* Barry Levinson (1982)
* Éric Rohmer (1983)
* Alex Cox (1984)
* Woody Allen (1985)
* Woody Allen (1986)
* James L. Brooks (1987)
* Ron Shelton (1988)
* Woody Allen (1989)
* Nicholas Kazan (1990)
* David Cronenberg (1991)
* Neil Jordan (1992)
* Robert Altman and Frank Barhydt (1993)
* Roger Avary and Quentin Tarantino (1994)
* Emma Thompson (1995)
* Joseph Tropiano and Stanley Tucci (1996)
* Curtis Hanson and Brian Helgeland (1997)
* Scott Frank (1998)
* Charlie Kaufman (1999)
* Cameron Crowe / Steve Kloves (2000)
* Christopher Nolan (2001)
* Charlie and Donald Kaufman (2002)
* Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini (2003)
* Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor (2004)
* Dan Futterman (2005)
* William Monahan (2006)
* Brad Bird (2007)
* Dustin Lance Black (2008)
* Joel Coen and Ethan Coen (2009)
* Aaron Sorkin (2010)
* Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin (2011)
* Tony Kushner (2012)
* Nicole Holofcener (2013)
* Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris Jr., and Armando Bo / Richard Linklater (2014)
* Tom McCarthy and Josh Singer (2015)
* Kenneth Lonergan (2016)
* Greta Gerwig (2017)
* Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty (2018)
* Quentin Tarantino (2019)
* Charlie Kaufman (2020)
* Ryusuke Hamaguchi and Takamasa Oe (2021)

Original Screenplay
(2022–present)|

* Martin McDonagh (2022)
* David Hemingson (2023)
* Sean Baker (2024)

Adapted Screenplay
(2022–present)|

* Kogonada (2022)
* Jonathan Glazer (2023)
* RaMell Ross and Joslyn Barnes (2024)

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF
* 2

National|

* Spain
* Norway
* Korea
* Poland

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template