In this section of our Colossus Movie Guide for Past Lives, we answer questions you have about the movie. If you’re curious about plot explanations, meanings, themes, lessons, motifs, symbols, or just confused by something, ask and we’ll do our best to answer.
Cast
- Nora – Greta Lee
- young Nora – Seung Ah Moon
- Hae Sung – Teo Yoo
- young Hae Sung – Seung Min Yim
- Arthur – John Magaro
- Nora’s mom – Ji Hye Yoon
- Written by – Celine Song
- Directed by – Celine Song
Past Lives | Questions and Answers
Why didn’t Hae Sung or Nora visit each other in college?
First, it’s expensive. They were both in their early twenties and a flight from New York to South Korea was not cheap. Second, they’re both incredibly ambitious and hard working. So in this sense, one would have had to compromise for the other. And neither was willing to do that. Talk all the time? Yes. But actually sacrifice an opportunity? The heart of it is that Nora would rather do her retreat and Hae Sung would rather do his language immersion program in China.
Would one grand gesture have made the difference? Possibly. Probably. But they just weren’t ready to take that step.
Is Past Lives based on a true story?
Yeah! Celine Song grew up in South Korea, moved to Canada, went to college in New York City, is a writer, and had a childhood sweetheart come visit her and her American, Jewish, writer husband. Obviously, it’s not verbatim what happened and changes were made to bring out the themes and drama and make it entertaining. But the core of the story is there.
Song: I was sitting there between these two men who I know love me in different ways, in two different languages and two different cultures. And I’m the only reason why these two men are even talking to each other. There’s some- thing almost sci-fi about it. You feel like somebody who can transcend culture and time and space and language.
What questions do you have?
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