Past Lives invites viewers into a tender and reflective story about love, longing, and the mysterious ways our lives unfold. The film follows Nora and Hae Sung, two childhood friends separated when Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea to North America. Decades later, they reconnect and begin to explore what might have been—and what truly is.
With quiet beauty and emotional honesty, Past Lives raises profound questions about destiny, choice, identity, and the meaning of “home.” It gently explores how our past shapes us, how relationships form us, and how we discern the life we are called to live. Rather than offering easy answers, the film invites reflection on grace, commitment, and the sacred complexity of human connection.
This is a contemplative, deeply human story that opens space for meaningful conversation about love, vocation, and the paths we choose—and the ones we leave behind. Join us and bring a friend for an engaging discussion and review after! Discussion led by Doug Dunderdale.
Academy Awards 2024, nominated for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay | Independent Spirit Awards 2024, won Best Film, Best Director
PG-13, 1 hr 46 minutes, (2023), written and directed by Celine Song
Free Admission. Please register. Co-sponsored by First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley and New College Berkeley.
About the Faith & Film series:
In this series we will examine the potent and relevant medium of film in exploring themes of love, faith, conscience, evil, death, reception, grace, morality, identity, and our yearning for the sacred. Each month we will view a different film––each unique, compelling, and demanding––reflecting our current times. Each film is curated by those who love this artistic medium and will host a conversation following our viewing. Co-sponsored by First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley and New College Berkeley.
Event details:
FPCB is located at 2407 Dana Street, Berkeley, and the event will start promptly at 7PM in Geneva Hall, Room G202. There is is free parking with sign-in in the FPCB underground parking lot on Channing Way.
About the Faith & Film series:
In this series we will examine the potent and relevant medium of film in exploring themes of love, faith, conscience, evil, death, reception, grace, morality, identity, and our yearning for the sacred. Each month we will view a different film––each unique, compelling, and demanding––reflecting our current times. Each film is curated by those who love this artistic medium and will host a conversation following our viewing. Co-sponsored by First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley and New College Berkeley.
Event details:
FPCB is located at 2407 Dana Street, Berkeley, and the event will start promptly at 7PM in Geneva Hall, Room G202. There is is free parking in the FPCB underground parking lot on Channing Way. Sign in at the first floor reception area of the church. From the garage, take the elevator up to the first floor for reception and then continue to the 2nd floor for the film gathering.
Location: First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, 94704