Albert Shin

Albert Shin
Born
Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
Alma materYork University
OccupationFilmmaker
Years active2008–present
Known forIn Her Place, Disappearance at Clifton Hill
Websitetimelapsepictures.ca

Albert Shin is a Canadian filmmaker, best known for his critically acclaimed Canadian Screen Award-nominated films In Her Place (2014) and Disappearance at Clifton Hill (2019). He works frequently with collaborator Igor Drljaca.

Early life

Shin was born in Canada and raised in Newmarket, Ontario.[1] His parents are of South Korean descent.[2] Shin later studied film production at York University, where he created several short films.[3]

Career

Before making the leap into features, Shin directed the short film Kai's Place, and the short-run television series In Counseling.[4]

His feature directorial debut, Point Traverse, was released in 2009.[5] The microbudget film screened at several film festivals, including the Wisconsin Film Festival.[6]

In Her Place

Main article: In Her Place

His second feature film was released in 2014; it was acclaimed by critics and screened at festivals around the world.[3] For his work on In Her Place, Shin won several awards, and garnered several Canadian Screen Award nominations at the 3rd Canadian Screen Awards, including nominations in the categories of Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.[7]

The film received positive reviews from critics upon release and holds an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[8] Jay Weissberg wrote, in his Variety review, "an acutely observed psychodrama from sophomore helmer Albert Shin, powered by three sterling performances."[9] NOW Magazine called it "an expertly plotted drama that packs a paralyzing emotional gut punch."[10] The Globe and Mail praised it as "thematically ambitious, and blunt in its portrayal of the bloody-minded demands of domestic bliss."[11]

Disappearance at Clifton Hill

Main article: Disappearance at Clifton Hill

Five years later, Shin co-wrote and directed the 2019 thriller Disappearance at Clifton Hill, starring Tuppence Middleton, Hannah Gross, Marie-Josée Croze, Eric Johnson and the Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg. The film, originally titled Clifton Hill, was partially inspired by the motel Shin's parents owned in Niagara Falls, Ontario.[12] It premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival and was released theatrically in the U.S. and Canada on February 28, 2020.[13]

Timelapse Pictures

Shin founded the Toronto-based production company Timelapse Pictures with producing partner Igor Drljaca.[14]

Filmography

Year Film Type Director Writer Producer Notes
2008 Kai's Place Short film Yes Yes No
2009 Point Traverse Feature film Yes Yes Yes
2012 Krivina Feature film No No Yes Directed by Igor Drljaca
2014 In Her Place Feature film Yes Yes Yes
2015 The Waiting Room Feature film No No Yes Directed by Igor Drljaca
2017 Lira's Forest Short film No No Yes Directed by Connor Jessup
2018 The Stone Speakers Documentary No No Yes Directed by Igor Drljaca
2019 Disappearance at Clifton Hill Feature film Yes Yes No
2020 The Archivists Short film No No Yes
2021 Together Short film Yes
2023 The King Tide Feature film No Yes No Directed by Christian Sparkes

Shin has also edited his first two features, as well as Drljaca's Krivina (2012) and Jessup's Boy (2015).

Awards

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref(s)
2014 Toronto Film Critics Association Award Jay Scott Prize In Her Place Won [15]
2015 Canadian Screen Award Best Motion Picture Nominated [16]
Best Director Nominated
Best Screenplay Nominated
Best Editing Nominated
2016 Wildflower Film Award Best Director (Narrative Films) Nominated [17]

References

  1. ^ "Interview: Albert Shin "In Her Place"". Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. September 9, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  2. ^ Slotek, Jim (February 12, 2014). "Albert Shin's 'In Her Place' a towering achievement". Toronto Sun. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Barnard, Linda (September 6, 2014). "In Her Place: Secrets and lies". Toronto Star. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  4. ^ Lang, Brent (November 12, 2019). "Verve Signs 'Disappearance at Clifton Hill' Director Albert Shin". Variety. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  5. ^ "Canadian film talent to watch out for at TIFF". The Globe and Mail. September 4, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  6. ^ K., Alex (May 4, 2010). "Wisconsin Film Festival 2012". Ruthless Reviews. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  7. ^ Houpt, Simon (January 13, 2015). "Mommy, Maps to the Stars set for showdown at Canadian Screen Awards". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  8. ^ "In Her Place (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  9. ^ Weissberg, Jay (March 30, 2015). "Film Review: 'In Her Place'". Variety. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  10. ^ Simonpillai, Radheyan (February 11, 2015). "In Her Place". NOW Magazine. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  11. ^ Lacey, Liam (February 13, 2015). "In Her Place: Domestic drama with strength from female cast". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  12. ^ Simonpillai, Radheyan (August 27, 2019). "TIFF 2019: Clifton Hill, the movie Niagara Falls doesn't want you to see". NOW Magazine. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  13. ^ Vlessing, Etan (November 5, 2019). "IFC Midnight Nabs David Cronenberg Starrer 'Disappearance at Clifton Hill'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  14. ^ Heather, McIntosh (September 7, 2014). "Albert Shin & Igor Drljaca Interview - In Her Place". Tribute. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  15. ^ Lacey, Liam (January 6, 2015). "Villeneuve's Enemy wins $100,000 Toronto critics' prize for best Canadian film of 2014". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  16. ^ Mullen, Pat (January 13, 2015). "'Mommy' Leads 2015 Canadian Screen Award Nominations". Cinemablographer. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  17. ^ "3rd Wildflower Film Awards Korea – Nominees 2016". Asian Film Festivals. March 26, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2020.