Middle-aged Edward is numb to everything in his life. He is cold to his wife, doesn’t care about his daughter, and his father is just someone who annoys him. One day, he has an accident and nearly dies. Luckily surviving, his attitude toward life changes. Work means nothing to him now; he becomes adoring of his family. It is like he has been infected with perpetual happiness and he only wants everyone around him to be happy like himself. Polish cinematographer—in high demand in Hollywood—Jerzy Zielinski’s feature debut King of Life throws a question about what the meaning of happiness is. And the answer is simple: Shaking off the tedium and meaninglessness from tired and repetitive modern life, and taking care of little things around us is the best way to happiness. The film delivers a theme that seems familiar but is difficult to practice with a light touch. The elegant cinematography that suits Zielinski’s reputation, and performances of main actors are enough to attract the audience’s attention. (Jin PARK)