Tale of Cinema (Geuk Jang Jong)

6.30pm

Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art

Baltic Cinema

The second of the opening two films for the Baltic Cinema programme is prolific South Korean director Hong Sang-Soo’s mischievous, elliptical love letter to cinema.

Tale of Cinema (Geuk Jang Jong)
Hong Sang-Soo South Korea / France 2005 89’ (cert. 15)
Korean with English subtitles | 35mm transferred to digital video

Playful and bewitching, Tale of Cinema’s casual style and sense of humour belies a complex and meticulous structure, with coincidences and symmetries arising from a film-within-a-film at its core which will continue to reverberate long after you leave the cinema.

In Seoul, a suicidal student meets a young woman who decides to join him in his fatal gesture. Tongsu, an unsuccessful filmmaker, spots a young woman, who happens to be the lead actress in the film he has just seen. Their stories will cross paths thanks to their love for cinema.

‘A sublime reflection on the cross-pollination of art and life.’ —John Berra, Sight & Sound

Level 1 Cinema
Doors open 18:30; Film starts 18:45. Baltic Kitchen is open until 18:30 for drinks, which you are welcome to take up to the cinema.

South Shore Road Gateshead NE8 3BA

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10 July 2025

6.30pm

£6 Full price / £4 Students, unwaged and 65+

Venue opening hours:

  • Thu 6.30pm

Accessibility

  • Accessible toilets
  • Adult changing facilities
  • Baby changing facilities
  • Hearing loop
  • Level access
  • Lifts to all areas
  • Mobility scooters
  • Walking aids

Tale of Cinema — trailer (content warning: nudity)