'Love has no numbers': Director of matchmaking romance Materialists

New film from Past Lives director skewers focus on money, age and physique

- Alison de Souza

LOS ANGELES — Film-maker Celine Song has no time for negativity or practicalities when it comes to love.

The Korean-Canadian writer-director is known for Past Lives (2023), a romantic drama that was nominated for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay Oscars, and enjoyed an 18-month run at local indie cinema The Projector ending in March.

Opening in Singapore cinemas on Aug 28, her second film, Materialists, stars American actress Dakota Johnson as a New York matchmaker determined to stay single herself unless she can find a wealthy husband.

But she finds herself torn between a millionaire (Pedro Pascal) and her former boyfriend, a waiter struggling to make ends meet (Chris Evans).

Chatting to The Straits Times over Zoom, Song is asked whether these films — which celebrate the lightning-in-a-bottle aspect of love — cultivate a hyper-romanticised ideal that might leave viewers a little disappointed when it comes to dating in real life.

"Why do you just assume they're going to be disappointed?" says the 36-year-old, gently chiding this reporter. "That's so sad.

"And not necessarily. You could also find love."