The new film by Asghar Farhadi, featuring Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem and set in Spain, opened the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. Laura, a Spanish woman living in Buenos Aires, visits her hometown in the suburbs of Madrid with her children for a wedding. There, her old friend and former secret lover Paco greets them. During the busy days filled with old faces and wedding preparations, Laura’s daughter Irene learns about Paco and Laura’s past when she follows Paco’s nephew to hide in the belfry of the church. Irene suddenly disappears on the day of the wedding, and the only evidence is a collection of newspaper articles on abductions. Everyone looks for Irene with the shocked Laura, and it only becomes clear that Irene was kidnapped with incoming text messages. Secrets are uncovered one by one as the incident advances. Compared to Farhadi’s previous work, the film has more European inspiration and a visible touch of the genre contributed by the kidnapping plot was unexpected by some audiences. A well-balanced film of great direction and acting. (Kim Young-Woo)