In Philippe Garrel’s previous film, The Salt of Tears (2020), a woman’s question about the plough is met with the man’s dismissive response. This new film is perhaps an answer to her question. Familial themes are not unfamiliar in Garrel’s films, but diverging from his recent exploration of the intricacies of individuals psyches, The Plough centers on the collective portrayal of a family. This choice imparts almost a peculiar austerity to the external landscapes. A puppet theater run by three generations endures a couple of deaths, leading the family to branch off in several directions. Consequently, the film captures the dual portrait of a dreaming artist and a turbulent family. The narrative overlaps with Garrel’s own complex family history and his detachment from opulence or wealth. Interwoven with Garrel’s characters and relationships, this film encapsulates the essence of Garrel, possibly the last remaining luminary of the era of master filmmakers. (LEE Yong Cheol)