After reading these blog, we assume you, our readers, are wondering why Park's films are so violent. So here is the blog post that we hope will assist in answering this question.
"Numerous times I lie in bed at night and imagine the cruellest torture. I imagine the most miserable ruining of that person's life. After that, I can fall asleep with a smile on my face. As long as it stays in the realm of imagination, the crueller the better - that's healthy. I'd like to recommend it to you all as well. I hope my films can help in any small way to help your imagination become at least a little bit crueller." (Park Chan-Wook)(Park)
Analysis of New York Times article "Mr. Vengeance" by Ian Buruma
Reviewed by Sylvia DeMarco
“Explicitly violent,” is the perfect definition for the new wave of film classified as “Asian Extreme” at the center of this article. I became enlightened about South Korean culture and why they are so fascinated with violence with the reading of this New York Times article. I found that one of the main reasons Asian films are so violent and extremely distorted is because of their history. Most of the Asian societies have lived through history’s most catastrophic wars. These wars were very blood and caused many innocent people and children to lose their lives. In essence, these wars left a lasting impression on the culture of Korea.
Throughout Korean history, citizens dealt with oppression everywhere that left un-wanted, yet; unforgettable memories. For instance, during the mid-eighties many South Koreans students were tired of being mistreated by the military regime. Their frustration caused them to begin to hold rallies against their oppressors. Sadly, far too many of these students were beat brutally, some to their death. These violent revolts had a large influence on Korea and specially Park. He himself was a student at the time, however; he was too afraid to stand up with his fellow classmates. Park uses his films as a means to overcome the guilt for not taking part, and to assist in lifting Koreas burdened caused by civil war and military dictatorship. After reading this article, I have come to believe that his films are indeed lifting their burdens. For instance, one can look at Korea’s indifference towards Japan.
South Korea actually does exercise censorship when they deem a film too extreme, however; it barely happens. The only time censorship occurs is if the movie's plot depicts Japan’s occupation of Korea as favorable. Interestingly, though mentioning Japan as being blessing on Korea is frowned upon; their pop culture is highly adored such as manga and anime. It has actually influence a few Korea films even one of Park’s own. “Oldboy” was based on a Japanese manga written by Tsuchiya Garon, and Minegishis Nobuaki. Manga comics are rooted with extremely, exaggerated sex and violence as well. The grotesque style of storytelling is not just contained in the film world. It is also heavily used within Chinese, Korean, and Japanese in many different facets. Overall, you could say that the term “Explicitly violent” is rooted within these cultures. Violence has become a part of Korean culture because of their history and in turn they utilize film as means to share that history.
New York Times Article
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/09/magazine/09park.html?_r=1
Other Source:
"Park Chan Wook - Biography." Park Chan Wook - South Korean Director's Website. 2009. Web. 23 Apr. 2010.
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Friday, April 23, 2010
"Joint Security Area"
Review of the Joint Security Area
By: Nicole Mosley
Favorite Character: Major Sophie Jang
How come? :
She was the only female character in the film. She was Korean –Swiss, which caused a bit tension of the film. Her presence was to not find out the truth behind the murders of two soldiers. She was there to take statements file a report and leave. However, during her investigation she uncovered one of the dispositions notice inconsistence from Nam (the other survivor) stories on what happen on the night in question. Also, she discovered a cover –up by Sergeant Lee, in regards of the shots fired and the number bullets inside one his men. Eventually with her determination and a nothing to lose attitude she find out truth.
Most Dislike Character: Sergeant Lee
How come? : Due to his willingness to defect to the North and became a traitor and from keeping himself exposed, he allowed the death of a young private Jung to kill the men who could have exposed him to save themselves, if Soo-yunk was allowed to arrest him. Yet Lee, stood by and watch the murders to take place and tried to cover-up, by shooting a dead officer 8 times, then convince the two soldiers who were there (one was the shooter Jung) to turn them to lie.
Name a cinematic device that you deem as the most important or stood out to you the most?
What stood out: Close up in the beginning of the owl and how Park focused on the especially when the shot rang out and the bullet went through the window; then startled reaction from the owl, made the owl reaction human-like with startled look in his eyes. The voice over was often not set on time and the voice of the Swiss officer with Jang, accent was so thick, it was hard to understand. The use of the book (disposition) pages flipped open to then the transition to the story of the soldiers, making Nam story come to life. Also there was scene where Park used a freeze framed shot during one the first or second interrogation scene, as if it was obvious someone just got in a lie. The best thing that stood out the most is when Major Jang, looks at the black and white photos of her parents and how once it was still photo shot then transition into documentary-style movie flashback.
What did you think the plot was of this film?
In searching for the truth is not always, the truth. The lies and cover-up do not always remain, what is done in the dark will eventually come to light. The death of others does not end a problem or is not part of a solution but causes pain and guilt and eventually suicide. The movie was center around North-South Korean tension and mass cover-up which required the Neutral peace officers to step in. But with intension not uncover the truth but bury it by assigning the case to a first female of North Korean and Swiss descent to eventually remove from the case before she uncovered the truth.
By: Nicole Mosley
Favorite Character: Major Sophie Jang
How come? :
She was the only female character in the film. She was Korean –Swiss, which caused a bit tension of the film. Her presence was to not find out the truth behind the murders of two soldiers. She was there to take statements file a report and leave. However, during her investigation she uncovered one of the dispositions notice inconsistence from Nam (the other survivor) stories on what happen on the night in question. Also, she discovered a cover –up by Sergeant Lee, in regards of the shots fired and the number bullets inside one his men. Eventually with her determination and a nothing to lose attitude she find out truth.
Most Dislike Character: Sergeant Lee
How come? : Due to his willingness to defect to the North and became a traitor and from keeping himself exposed, he allowed the death of a young private Jung to kill the men who could have exposed him to save themselves, if Soo-yunk was allowed to arrest him. Yet Lee, stood by and watch the murders to take place and tried to cover-up, by shooting a dead officer 8 times, then convince the two soldiers who were there (one was the shooter Jung) to turn them to lie.
Name a cinematic device that you deem as the most important or stood out to you the most?
What stood out: Close up in the beginning of the owl and how Park focused on the especially when the shot rang out and the bullet went through the window; then startled reaction from the owl, made the owl reaction human-like with startled look in his eyes. The voice over was often not set on time and the voice of the Swiss officer with Jang, accent was so thick, it was hard to understand. The use of the book (disposition) pages flipped open to then the transition to the story of the soldiers, making Nam story come to life. Also there was scene where Park used a freeze framed shot during one the first or second interrogation scene, as if it was obvious someone just got in a lie. The best thing that stood out the most is when Major Jang, looks at the black and white photos of her parents and how once it was still photo shot then transition into documentary-style movie flashback.
What did you think the plot was of this film?
In searching for the truth is not always, the truth. The lies and cover-up do not always remain, what is done in the dark will eventually come to light. The death of others does not end a problem or is not part of a solution but causes pain and guilt and eventually suicide. The movie was center around North-South Korean tension and mass cover-up which required the Neutral peace officers to step in. But with intension not uncover the truth but bury it by assigning the case to a first female of North Korean and Swiss descent to eventually remove from the case before she uncovered the truth.
Group Review of "Lady Vengeance"
Group Review of the movie "Lady Vengeance"
Nicole Mosley's Review
Favorite Character: Guem-ja
Nicole Mosley's Review
Favorite Character: Guem-ja
How come? : Guem-ja was in prison for thirteen years for a crime she did not commit. She confesses in order save her daughter’s life. I found that to be honorable, she scarfriced her freedom to save her daughter’s. In today’s society one hears so many horrific stories about mothers killing their children for the sake of keeping a man. Guem-ja did the opposite by protecting her daughter Jenny, she confessed to crime to protect her from an evil man, Mr. Baek. I liked how in prison she defended the weak against the aggressors in her cell, even though there were other motives behind each of the good deeds. Although I believe that she may have seen herself in those women she defended because of her past, succumbing to evil just to survive. I saw genuine sweetness about her even though she was angry inside and plotting her revenge on Mr.Baek, I sympathized with her character. No one can say what they will do, if they were placed in her situation. Yes, she may have used others to help her in her plans once released, but Guem-ja may have shared her past and why she needed their help. Also, she might have had a divine gift; the preacher called her an angel. There were scenes in the film when she is on her knees praying, a glowing light surrounded her. Her plot for vengeance did change when she was reunited with her daughter Jenny. I believe it was Jenny that changed Guem-ja, even though she was not ready to forgive herself and not letting go of the strong anger and sense of unworthiness to have her daughter or any goodness in her life. She constantly refers to herself as a sinner yet when she confessed to her daughter about her sins, Jenny forgave her. I believe that was the turning point for Guem-ja, a sense of redemption and grace. I believe that anyone that had been wronged by another to this point of anger and vengeance could identify with this character.
Most Dislike Character: Mr. Baek
How come? : He was the reason why Guem-ja was sent to prison for thirteen years. He was a cold, psychotic, kidnapper and murderer of children. He kidnapped them for a ransom and then murdered them after receiving the money in order to buy a yacht. He also black mailed Guem-ja to help him, which landed her in prison for taking the blame in order to save her daughter Jenny. The worst thing about this horrific character he was a pre-school teacher. As a viewer I was satisfied when he was dead at the end.
Name a cinematic device that you deem as the most important or stood out to you the most?
The use symbolization and visual imagery that Park used the film stood out the most. Park also used the color white (tofu, cakes, and snow) that symbolize purity, hope and the cleansing of one’s sins. The color of red was used often in the film (Guem-ja eye shadow, her bedroom, and high heels) that symbolize rage, fury or maybe the blood shed yet to come. The visual images that were used such as the writing in the sky “ I have no mother”, while Jenny was sitting at the tree, not knowing she was yet be reunited with her mother and when they reunited the clouds read “I have a mom” I found it to be a nice touch to that specific scene in the film. It was framed to look as if it were a dream sequence. What also stood for me was how each of Guem-ja’s cellmates were used as narrators and how the director would change different shots from past to present with speed cutting.
What did you think the plot was of this film?
At 19, Guem-ja was wrongly imprisoned for a crime she did not commit. She served thirteen years, during this time she was shown as a woman who has found religion while in prison. She becomes well-liked by other inmates and a model prisoner during the thirteen years. She is seen as kind, and develops superb baking skills during this period. Finally, she is revealed to be planning an elaborate revenge against Mr. Baek and gets the help of her fellow inmates in developing a plan. Then Guem-ja pulls a 180 degree turn from her reputation in prison; she begins to put her plan into action with the help of a retired cop and her daughter by her side. Then is the emotional and spiritual aftermath of her vengeance against Mr. Baek. Instead of taking vengeance by her own hands, she turned it over to the families of the murdered children that Mr.Baek had kidnapped. This movie in my opinion is about revenge, repentance, redemption, grace and forgiveness.
Ben RineHart's Review
Favorite Character: Geum-Ja
How come? : She is a tormented soul who is torn between the forces of darkness and light within her. I find her major transformation from Holy Martyr, to Bitter Avenger, to Sorrowful Penitent enlightening and invigorating.
Most Dislike Character: Mr. Baek
How come? : He is a sadistic, evil man, bent on brutally killing little children. How could one not hate him?
Name a cinematic device that you deem as the most important or stood out to you the most?
One cinematic device that is of particular use in Lady Vengeance is the use of color throughout the film. At the outset of the film, the author uses bright colors and by the end, the colors used are pretty much entirely black and white. When Guam-ja is released from prison, she is wearing a red coat. By the end it has switched to a black coat. The walls of the prison are colorful at the beginning, but by the end the walls of the school building are a drab grey. The lighting environment for the final scene in particular creates an eerie, “complete loss of innocence” feel by employing a single streetlight. Also employed here, to symbolize purity being destroyed is a tofu cake which the main character shoves into her face.
What did you think the plot was of this film?
A woman is sent to prison for a crime which she didn’t commit. She is known in prison as the kind-hearted angel. However, she is plotting the demise of the man who actually committed the crime which she has done time for. When she gets out of prison, a kind hearted pastor meets her and tries to give her charity; she refuses, seeking revenge instead. Upon finding the man, she realizes that he has an even darker secret, one that she cannot avenge herself. Thus chronicles the demise of both Geum-Ja and the murdering psychopath
Other comment:
This movie is perhaps my favorite of the trilogy, as it shows very clearly the progression of a person once they have begun meditating revenge. I liked the fact that in this movie, in comparison to the previous two movies, the character was female which opened up the story to many new possibilities.
Sylvia DeMarco's Review
Favorite Character: The Older Women who lost her Grandchild
How come? : At the very end of the film, “Lady Vengeance” finds out the man who framed her actually killed others. He actually killed four other children other than the one she was accused of killing. When she came to this realization; she could not kill him. She realized she was not the only one that had the right to end his life. She decided to contact all the families that lost their children and give them the opportunity to avenge their children’s death. Each member got to go at him as they wished. The reason the older women stood out to me was because she was different then the others when it came to be her turn. She went straight for the kill. She stabbed him right in the neck with a pair of scissors. However, it was not the fact that she went right for the kill that struck me. It was the fact the scissors she used were her grandchild’s scissors.
Most Dislike Character: The Preacher
How come? He betrayed Geum-ja Lee, the main character. He was her spiritual leader and pastor before she was put in prison. He seemed to care for her very much. He went out of his way to be there for her during her time in prison. However, the whole time he was photographing and documenting her life Mr. Baek. He did it for money. When they showed him receiving payment for betraying her; I lost complete respect for him as spiritual leader. I could have understood a little if he was being blackmailed by Mr. Baek.
Name a cinematic device that you deem as the most important or stood out to you the most?
The one narrative device that stood out to me the most was introduction of the Geum-ja Lee’s fellow cellmates. Whenever, a new cellmate was revealed the film shot would freeze or the people would stop moving for a time. Then words on the bottom would appear that stated their names and years of imprisonment. This cinematic device emphasized the passing of time for the main character. It also acted as a source of insight for the viewers. For example, when the actual murderer finally appears, the viewer also met another fellow cellmate of Geum-ja Lee. The way she was introduced was unexpected. The scene opens with her and the bad guy eating dinner. One comes to the conlcions they are in relationship especially when he proceeds to take advantage of her right at the dinner table. However, it was at this point when her name and the prison time appear. It is at this moment one becomes aware that she is not his pawn as it would seem.
What did you think the plot was of this film?
It is the idea that vengeance and justice are more similar than different. I came to this conclusion closer to the end of the film. The one goal of Geum-ja Lee was to find and kill the man that framed her. She was pursuing him for revenge and justice for killing an innocent child. However, when she finally had to the chance to kill him; she came to realization that he had killed four other children. When she became aware of these other children; she recognized that she was not the one to seek vengeance for these children. The parents were the ones who had the right. At the end of the film, she eventually gathered all the parents or relatives of the lost children. During this gathering, she requested them all to decide the fate of Mr. Baek. They all agreed the man deserved to be punished for his crimes. However, the real question was should they turn him over to the police or provoke their own justice on him. They all agreed that they should be the ones to punish him for his crimes. In essence, justice and vengeance seek to punish those who have committed a wrong against another.
Angie Schapiro's Review
Favorite Character: Australin Couple
How come? : My favorite characters in the movie were the Australian couple, the little girl’s parents by adoption. The odd couple, that briefly graced the movie, really provided the comic relief that the movie needed as again it was bloody and disturbing. A scene in particular that adds comedy to the movie is when the main character, Lee Geum-ja, goes to visit the Australians to see her daughter for the first time since she went into prison. The parents welcome her in and soon have her drunk along with the two of them in the kitchen while the little girl waits patiently in the living room. They share a time of laughing, rambling about serious matters in a nonchalant manor, and falling over in chairs in their drunkenness. This part had me a laughing aloud to myself and again, added the comic relief the movie begged for.
Most Dislike Character: Mr. Baek
How come? : Of course I didn’t like Mr. Baek who killed four children and then turned the guilt onto Lee Geum-ja who ultimately served the time in jail that he should have endured. However, what surprised me the most was that I didn’t care much for Lee Geum-ja. I had a hard time connecting with her character and felt that though she had been through jail and fought for the parents who lost their children she was still rotten or unrepentant of her actions. She became a killer herself amongst fighting the violence that took place before her imprisonment.
Name a cinematic device that you deem as the most important or stood out to you the most?
A cinematic device that stood out to me was Chan Wook Park’s use of sound. Not only were the scenes disturbing but the sound effects were more than enough get across his gruesome aspirations in this film.
What did you think the plot was of this film?
The story is of Lee-Geum-ja who was wrongly put into prison for someone else’s act of murder. In going to prison she has to give up her child, and in the mean time builds relationships within the prison she is residing to formulate a plan of revenge for when she is released from prison. With the help of the former inmates and the parents of the children who were murdered she brings revenge to Mr. Baek who was responsible for killing all four children in the first place.
Brynt Werntz's Review
Favorite Character: Geum-ja
How come? : She is very friendly, has a mom-like attitude, and even donates a kidney to on of her fellow inmates. She protects them too.
Most Dislike Character: Mr. Baek
How come? : He was the real killer.
Name a cinematic device that you deem as the most important or stood out to you the most?
Wide angle and overhead shots, this allowed the viewer to see everything that was going on during the movie and pick up certain things that Park wanted everyone to capture.
What did you think the plot was of this film?
Soon to be let out of jail, Lee Geum-ja starts the process to find the man who allowed he to be locked away in prison. After being in jail for a long time, she constantly thinks of the right way to get revenge on the man who was the real killer. Thinking of the right way to take revenge, she asked cellmates to help her in her revenge. She finds something out very disturbing and it almost makes it seem like no revenge could be enough.
Review of "I’m a Cyborg, but That’s OK."
Review of "I’m a Cyborg, but That’s OK".
By Ben Rinehart
In Park Chan-wook’s second to most recent movie, I’m a Cyborg, but That’s OK, the critically acclaimed director goes somewhere where he has not gone before: an asylum.
This witty and, at times bizarre, romantic comedy, set in a South Korean mental asylum, is perhaps Chan-wook’s happiest and most charismatic delivery yet. The story revolves around two characters: a young girl (Young-goon) who believes that she is a cyborg, and a young man (Park Il-sun ), who is both a kleptomaniac and suffering from anti-social schizophrenia, who falls in love with Young-goon.
The story opens up with Young-goon working on an assembly line. As instructions are read out over a loud speaker to all of the workers, Young-goon soon hears some very peculiar messages. She believes the loud speaker is telling her that she is a cyborg and that she needs to recharge. Subsequently, she cuts open her wrists and inserts electrical wires, which she duct tapes into her wrists and plugs into the wall. Obviously, this is taken as a suicide attempt, and she is transported to the mental hospital.
It is here where she meets Park Il-sun, who instantly sees her as someone to help.
What is interesting in this story is the extent to which Park Il-sun, someone who self-professedly has no soul and can steal other people’s souls, tries to help Young-goon. Young-goon refuses to eat, thinking that all she needs to do is recharge. At lunch she simply licks batteries, until the orderlies see this and take away her batteries. She then goes on an imaginary killing spree, shooting bullets out of her fingers and destroying the building. She then, “shuts down” from sheer exhaustion. It is here where Park Il-sun saves the day by creating a device which can convert food into energy, which saves her from starvation. In the end, they both fall in love and have a wonderful picnic on a hill.
I was surprised just how happy this movie was in comparison to Chan-wook’s other movies. It had a quirky, almost manic feel to it, which helped to make this movie very endearing. Though it was at times a little slow, especially towards the end, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and would recommend it to anyone interested in watching a genuinely happy and interesting look into the psychology of the human person.
My rating: 3½ stars
By Ben Rinehart
In Park Chan-wook’s second to most recent movie, I’m a Cyborg, but That’s OK, the critically acclaimed director goes somewhere where he has not gone before: an asylum.
This witty and, at times bizarre, romantic comedy, set in a South Korean mental asylum, is perhaps Chan-wook’s happiest and most charismatic delivery yet. The story revolves around two characters: a young girl (Young-goon) who believes that she is a cyborg, and a young man (Park Il-sun ), who is both a kleptomaniac and suffering from anti-social schizophrenia, who falls in love with Young-goon.
The story opens up with Young-goon working on an assembly line. As instructions are read out over a loud speaker to all of the workers, Young-goon soon hears some very peculiar messages. She believes the loud speaker is telling her that she is a cyborg and that she needs to recharge. Subsequently, she cuts open her wrists and inserts electrical wires, which she duct tapes into her wrists and plugs into the wall. Obviously, this is taken as a suicide attempt, and she is transported to the mental hospital.
It is here where she meets Park Il-sun, who instantly sees her as someone to help.
What is interesting in this story is the extent to which Park Il-sun, someone who self-professedly has no soul and can steal other people’s souls, tries to help Young-goon. Young-goon refuses to eat, thinking that all she needs to do is recharge. At lunch she simply licks batteries, until the orderlies see this and take away her batteries. She then goes on an imaginary killing spree, shooting bullets out of her fingers and destroying the building. She then, “shuts down” from sheer exhaustion. It is here where Park Il-sun saves the day by creating a device which can convert food into energy, which saves her from starvation. In the end, they both fall in love and have a wonderful picnic on a hill.I was surprised just how happy this movie was in comparison to Chan-wook’s other movies. It had a quirky, almost manic feel to it, which helped to make this movie very endearing. Though it was at times a little slow, especially towards the end, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and would recommend it to anyone interested in watching a genuinely happy and interesting look into the psychology of the human person.
My rating: 3½ stars
OldBoy Review
Group Review of "OldBoy"
Angelena R. Schapiro Review
Favorite Character: Dea-su
1)The Character I most identified with was Dea-su. I know this isn't by coinsidence as he was the main character and the protagonist. However, I feel like Chan-Wook Park did a good job of making the audience feel they were experiencing the same things along with Dae-su. For me this caused a connection with Dae-su and made him someone I could sympathize with.I also think the main character reacted to the circumstance in his life as anyone would else would be compelled to. This also made the character more tangible, which was a plus coming from a viewer.
Least Liked Character: Woo-jin Lee
2)The character I least like again was by no coincidence. The antagonist was a strange character who really had a way to get under the viewer's skin. The way the antagonist could thrive with enjoyment while others were in pain was incredibly eery and disturbing.
Name a cinematic device that you deem as the most important or stood out to you the most?
3)Flashbacks were a useful device in this movie. I felt they were necessary to get the needed background information to complete the plot of the movie. The way they reveiled the truth amongst all the lies being told in the movie was clever and helpful.
What did you think the plot was of this film?
4)The plot of the film told a story about revenge, as this is part two of a revenge triology. What the viewer may be surprised by however is that in this movie and the first, revenge is seen by both the antagonist and protagonist. One would expect only the protagonist to get their revenge, because that makes a happy ending. In these movies however both characters get their revenge.
5)Other comments? This movie was both intriguing and disturbing. The movie showed scenes of incest which was hard to take in but it also had an ending that I personally was not expecting.
Ben Rinehart's Review
Favorite Character: Oh Dae-su
How come? : Oh Dae-su is a complex character. Caught in a web of conspiracy he is whisked off to a prison/hotel where he spends the next 15 years. The rest of the movie shows him first being bent on revenge, followed immediately by the horrible realization of what he has done. This leads to an enormous repentance by cutting out his tongue which he realizes has hurt so many. I find Oh Dae-su’s extremeness in actions invigorating and very psychologically interesting.
Most Dislike Character: Mi-do
How come? : Though she is an important character, I often found myself hating her whiney personality. That’s really the only reason that I don’t like her character though.
Name a cinematic device that you deem as the most important or stood out to you the most?
I think that the cinematic device which was the most important were the two faces of Oh Dae-su. At certain parts of the movie, we see Oh Dae-su’s face contort to one of two personas, Oh Dae-su or The Monster. *Spoiler Alert* (At the end, if you look closely, you’ll see The Monster’s face re-emerge even though it is supposed to be dormant, thus signaling that the woman’s hypnosis did not work to suppress The Monster.)
What did you think the plot was of this film?
The plot was about a man bent on revenge for years lost to him, and another man’s revenge for what he had lost. Ultimately we realize in the end, that revenge leads to nothing but death and destruction. It is definitely a tragedy.
Other comment:
This movie is perhaps my favorite movie because it so accurately portrays many facets of the human psyche. It delves deeply into the darkness that can so easily overcome humanity and also speaks to the kindness of humanity in the person of Mi-do. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie.
Sylvia DeMarco's Review
Favorite Character: None
How come? : I could not relate to any of these characters. I found them all frustrating and unreasonable.
Most Dislike Character: Woo-jin Lee
How come? : He was unfair man that held a grudge far too long. The Dae-su was young teenager gossiping to his brother about some interesting event that he happened to witness. He did not have some devious plan to harm the Woo-jin Lee and his sister. Also, it was injustice that he destroyed the daughter’s life when she did nothing to him. However, I did find it respectable that he did spare the daughter from knowing the true. I will give him credit for this act of kindness.
Name a cinematic device that you deem as the most important or stood out to you the most?
The repetition of going back to the same locations was a curial visual trope. It created many emotions throughout the film. For example, the room that Dae-su was held captive for fifteen years. Whenever, the movie came back to this location one would automatically feel resentment and apprehension. Then there was the daughter’s apartment. It gave a sense of freedom, yet; at the same time entrapped. This was attained through the effect that audience knew the kidnapper was watching him and knew the daughter.
What did you think the plot was of this film?
One should be careful of what one lets slip from one’s mouth. One never knows how it can come back with sweet twisted vengeance.
Other comment:
This movie is definitely not for people of the faint of heart or who do not like horror movies.
Dishon Kamwesa's Review
Favorite Character: Dae su
How come? : I like Dae su’s character the most in this film, for several different reasons. Dae su is both a likeable and despicable character. His personality traits evoke both sympathy and disgust, because of how he lives his life and how completely lost he is in trying to find out
about himself. Dae su lives his life in a reckless fashion up to the point when he is kidnapped. Although he has a wife and child, he seems to take them for granted, getting drunk and coming home late. He has a past history in which he was a trouble-maker at school and a “ladies-man.” This past eludes him during the time that he is “imprisoned.” Oh Dae su is not a hero, but he is not a villain either, he is just a man who has lost a part of himself.Least favorite character: Woo Jin-lee
How come? : There are many reasons for disliking Woo Jin-lee, who is the antagonist character in this film but honestly there are several reasons for liking him as well. Woo Jin-lee is similar to Dae su, in that they are both living in the past, and both seeking vengeance. Whereas Oh Dae su is seeking vengeance for a past he does not remember, Woo Jin-lee is orchestrating vengeance for a past he cannot forget. Jin-lee was in love with his sister when they were younger, which lead to a sexual encounter between the two siblings. Oh Dae su witnessed this encounter and told his friend. Eventually the story got out of hand and turned into a flagrant rumor about Woo Jin-lee’s sister being pregnant. This all culminates in the sister’s suicide and Jin-lee’s life-long torment. The reason I really don’t like this character is because he spends his life trying to torment other people in order to find satisfaction and avoid his guilt. I can empathize with his grief at the loss of someone he loved dearly, but I feel that he uses that as a crutch for the rest of his life and becomes a sadist in the name of “social experimentation.”
Name a cinematic device that you deem as the most important or stood out to you the most?
The cinematic device that I felt was most important to understanding this film was the time shifting. Park uses the time shifts in order to provide the viewer with a different perspective about a certain character’s current situation. For example, when Oh Dae su is out of captivity and trying to find his captor, the film makes several different time shifts into his past. This technique can at times be a little bit manipulative because it makes you think through the characters context and not necessarily from an outside observers view.
What did you think the plot was of this film?
Basically the plot centered around two characters, Oh Dae su and Woo Jin-lee. These two characters have crossed paths in the past and an event has happened that has bound their lives together forever. Oh Dae su is a ladies-man, a drunk and someone who lives his life with a bit of recklessness. Woo jin-lee is a wealthy successful man who has spent his life studying human misery and performing “social experiments” on humans, by imprisoning them for long periods of time. In their childhood Woo jin-lee was in love with his own sister, this love led to a sexual encounter which was witnessed by Oh Dae su. Oh Dae su shared this secret with his friend who shares it with another friend and eventually this secret turns out to be a vicious rumor about the sister being pregnant. The looseness of Oh Dae su’s tongue leads to Jin-lee’s sister’s suicide and a lifelong burden of grief. As the story unfolds, we learn that the person who kidnapped Oh dae su, imprisoned him and tortured him is Woo Jin-lee. We also see Oh Dae su vigilantly pursuing his tormentor without any thought as to who he destroys along the way. Eventually, after finding out Woo Jin-lee’s involvement in his life, we are presented with the conflict of both characters.
Woo Jin-lee has been waiting his entire life to repay Oh Dae su back with the revenge for his sister’s death, and Oh Dae su wants to tear Woo Jin-lee apart for taking his family and 15 years of his life. The plot becomes more complex when we Oh Dae su learns that the 18 year old girl he has fallen in love with and slept with, is indeed his own daughter. Woo Jin-lee has orchestrated the lives of both Oh Dae su and his daughter for the past 15 years, so that Oh Dae su can feel Woo Jin-lee’s pain. When Dae su finds out that he has slept with his daughter he begs Jin lee to keep it a secret, even going so far as to cut off his own tongue in order to show that he will never speak again. Woo Jin-lee is satisfied and considers killing both Oh Dae su and himself, but decides to let Dae su live. The movie ends with Woo Jin-lee killing himself, and Oh Dae su going to a hypnotist to have his memory erased. The last scene is Oh Dae su’s “vengous monster personality” walking away, and Oh Dae su being re-united with his daughter.Other comment:
In the end, the pursuit of vengeance brings about only death, and grief for both characters. Instead of getting the satisfaction they both so dearly craved, they instead only reap sorrow and loneliness.
Nicole Mosley 's Review
Favorite Character: Mi-do
How come? : Mi-do represented a second chance for Dae-su. She gave Dae-su love and a home. She was helpful to Dae-su in finding his daughter; although not knowing that she was infact his daughter at the time. She helped Dae-su to find the clues and his captor. She stood by Dae-su’s side even when he doubted her and mistrusted her. When one of Dae su’s thugs arrived at her home and tortured her in front of Dae-su, she never left his side. Her sweetness, her genuine love for Dae-su and her innocence was refreshing to watch, since the film was centered on darkness and vengeance. Dae-su started to unravel the truth about why he was held captive, when he went back to their childhood. He remembered that he witnessed Woo-jin having sexual relations with his own sister. It was at this point that I came to realize the truth. I had hoped that my theory was wrong about Mi-do being Dae-su’s daughter. However, at the climax of the film, Woo-jin reveals this secret to Dae su.
Most Dislike Character: Woo-Jin
How come? : He was EVIL!!! Dae-su saw Woo-jin having sexual relations with his own sister, who later committed suicide because Dae-su told his best friend Ja-woon. From this secret came a rumor about the sister being pregnant and led to her death. Woo-jin blamed Dae-su for his sister’s death. As a result he plotted for years to seek out the most horrific vengeance on Dae-su. He killed his wife, took Dae-su’s daughter, raised her and hypnotized her, then strategically setup the two of them meeting and falling in love, which resulted in incest. At the very end, Dae-su begs Woo-jin not to tell Mi-do the secret while Woo-jin joyfully watches Dae-su bark like a dog and even cut his own tongue off. Woo-jin decides not to kill Dae-su when he has the chance. He thinks by keeping Dae-su alive he can have the best revenge. Woo-Jin ends up killing himself over the grief of his sister, and it is clear that he has not acquired the satisfaction he was seeking in destroying Dae su’s life.
Name a cinematic device that you deem as the most important or stood out to you the most?
The cinematic device that stood out for me was the way the director used the close-up shots during the torture scenes. This device made you think he going to show the entire shot of torture (Dae-su pulling out the thug’s teeth) with end of the hammer; the director then zooms in on the falling bloody teeth instead.
Another device that stood out was the use of a split screen shot. At ending of the film Dae-su hired a hypnotist to erase his memory. During this hypnosis, he was transported back to Woo-jin’s apartment and as he watched himself from the window, being split into. You see Dae-su’s reflection in the window and then at the same time you see the “beast” (keeper of the secret) walk away to death. I thought that was great example of a visual trope.
What did you think the plot was of this film?
Vengeance vs. Vengeance! Woo-jin sought his revenge on Dae-su because of a childhood rumor which resulted in the death of his sister, whom he was in love with. Then Dae-su sought revenge against his kidnapper who stole fifteen years of his life, which later revealed a connection between the two men and their dark secrets. In the end, Woo-jin killed himself to forget and Dae-su killed his memory to forget; in the attempt to re-start his life over again with the woman he loves, Mi-do even though she is his own daughter.
Brynt Werntz's Review
Favorite Character: Oh Dae-su
How come? : He is the film's main character, and he has been imprisoned for around 15 years and is the main storyline.
Most Dislike Character: Lee Woo Jin
How come? :He kidnapped Oh Dae-su
Name a cinematic device that you deem as the most important or stood out to you the most?
The film had a very unclear ending, but I believe it was meant to be that way on purpose. I was left with many questions after the movie was over like, how much time passed through the film, if the hypnotist meeting with Dae-Su took place, and if he kept his relationship with Mi-do.
What did you think the plot was of this film?
The Husband and father, Oh Dae-Su, is locked in away in prison with out a clear understanding of what he did do deserve prison time. He had a small T.V. in his room which was his only way of knowing what was going on in the world outside of the cell. While watching a news segment, he finds out his wife has been killed, and begins to dig a way out of his cell with chopsticks. After being in jail for 15 years, he is finally set free with no idea of why he was locked up in the first place. The rest of the film shows him figuring out why he was locked up, why his wife died, and what happened to his daughter. He then goes out to seek revenge on the people that have ruined his life and family.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Reviewed by Angelena R. Schapiro
In an interview with A.V. Club Chan Wook Park spoke on his movie "Thirst", which I wrote about earlier in the blog. He had some interesting things to say regarding the violence in his movies and also how the idea of "Thirst" came to be. I found it interesting for one that he didn't use the normal vampire attributes that we are used to seeing such as capes, fangs, or bats. He even mentioned, "I didn't really set out to research vampire lore and I didn't really go out of my way to look at all the different material". He went on to say, " I haven't had a chance yet to see "Twilight" or any of the more recent vampire films".
In an interview with A.V. Club Chan Wook Park spoke on his movie "Thirst", which I wrote about earlier in the blog. He had some interesting things to say regarding the violence in his movies and also how the idea of "Thirst" came to be. I found it interesting for one that he didn't use the normal vampire attributes that we are used to seeing such as capes, fangs, or bats. He even mentioned, "I didn't really set out to research vampire lore and I didn't really go out of my way to look at all the different material". He went on to say, " I haven't had a chance yet to see "Twilight" or any of the more recent vampire films".
It's interesting to see that he almost went the opposite directon of many vampire films by making the vampire a priest. When asked what came first when creating this movie he said it was the fact that he wanted to somehow use a catholic priest. He also wanted to address the issue of the devil and the existence of evil. He did this in a round about way in the movie in that he never reveals where the priest gets the vampire blood. Chan Wook Park said in repsonse to this,"So it may be the doings of the Devil, or it could be an act of God that scientist cannot imagine, or that we can never find out about. But even if it was blood of the devil or even if it was the devil's doing, we never find out". He then said something interesting about his making the vampire a priest, "I wanted the starting point to be this very noble and very holy person. But in saying that, this person can't be a perfect person either". "For this person to be faced with a situation like this, to be forced into a situation like this, this would mean he wold begin to doubt his faith and doubt God even more hat the average person would". Prior to these comments he states that he feels sin is "inevitabe". He was hoping to show that as well through this movie.
Lastly he comments on the violence in his films. He admits that his films can be violent but that he feels it is exaggerated. He says, " My films are not as explicit as you might think. There is a misconception that people somehow seem to claim that they have seen the image where the main character cuts off his own tongue in "Old Boy". Or they seem to remember seeing children go through the process of being killed on-screen in "Lady Vengeance. Or they would say that they have seen the main character take the tooth out of one of the bad buys in "Old Boy". But that is not true. They're actually not seen on screen. These are referred to, anticipated, and talked about, but not actually portrayed in this film, because they are still there". He goes on to say that he feels these things are needed in the movies he's made becuase of the message he is trying to send. He desires to address the "violent relationship between individuals and this sense of wrongdoing, or this sense that this is a sin, and the process of redemption related to that. It's kind of like saying in a romance film its unavoidable to film a kissing scene".
Here's the link :)
http://www.avclub.com/articles/park-chanwook,31394/
Monday, April 12, 2010
Comparison between Tarantino and Park Films
"Acts of Revenge"
Review by Nicole Mosley
Review by Nicole Mosley
What stood out most to me in the article was how the author compared the work of Chan-Wook Park to that of Tarantino, even though it was stated that his style has not developed a mature approach to the moral dimension of his art. I strongly disagree, I believe there is only one Tarantino and there is only one Park. Though some of their films become slightly similar, each takes a unique, bold, and at times quite squeamish approach in their storytelling and their heavily use of blood and more blood. Each director has a style of their own with is scary yet refreshingly hilarious and thought provoking, with a moral center to their films. Park’s films take you to the heart of the characters and have this viewer asking the question, “what would I do if this were me?”.
Movies: Taratino's - Kill Bill Vol 1
Park's - Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance
Central Theme: Revenge for a love ones
Style:
Similar: Both are laced with extreme violence and unexpected plot twists and turns
Difference: The budget in making their films. Taritino receives great funding, but his film style is low budget making. Park does not get as much funding as Taritino film yet, the quality of the films are simliar.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
An Overview of the Movie “Thirst”
An Overview of the Movie “Thirst” by: Angie Schapiro
Cinema students, this beautifully crafted film by Chan-Wook Park, “Thirst “, is a far stretch from the American Twilight Saga. True to his nature, Chan-Wook Park shows a more gory and thrilling side to the life of a vampire. “Thirst” tells the story of a Catholic Priest, Sang- Hyun. Father Hyun, who in the beginning of the movie primarily pays hospital visits and takes care of confessionals , decides that he wants something more for his life, to help the ill. At this time there is an epidemic hitting many individuals he has met in his hospital visits and because it grieved his soul so much to see them suffering he decided to leave the monastery to aid the doctors working on the case through experiments. In doing so, the priest catches the epidemic called, “the curse of Bazira”. With the epidemic come blisters and lesions on the outside of the victim’s body and eventually make their way into the inner organs causing the individual to cough up blood. When the disease reaches this point for Father Hyun a blood transfusion is needed to restore the massive amount of blood lost. It is then that is problems truly begin.
The priest, after nearly dying during, survives the blood transfusion, the first of 500 people. He becomes known as “The Bandaged Saint”, a medical marvel, to whom all the cripples and sick in town turn to for healing for themselves or family members. What these individuals don’t know is that he’s found he must wear bandages during the day because the sun brings back his blisters but away from the sun he is free of the blisters. He also finds that with the ingestion of human blood he is also able to be free from his blister which in turn renders him a vampire. The film reveals that the blood given him in the blood transfusion was in fact vampire blood, and since the time of the transfusion, he has become one himself. Now Father Hyun is stuck between the life of a priest and the life of a vampire. Is he a saint or a killer? As the story unfolds Sang-Hyun must make a choice.
Throughout the movie Chan-Wook Park cleverly uses Christian parallels to deepen the plot of the mo
vie. I encourage cinema students to think of the Garden of Eden and the roles of both Adam and Eve. The main character and his lover play out these same roles. Without him, she couldn’t have become what she did. Without her, he wouldn’t have gone against his values. Without the sins committed together, they may not have been condemned at the end of the film (as Adam and Eve were when kicked out of the garden). 
Chan-Wook Park’s use of this particular parallel is genius as “Father Hyun” has known the values of Christianity all of this life as a Catholic priest. It’s the fight, such as this, between religion and lusts of life that come together to make this film the masterpiece it truly is.
vie. I encourage cinema students to think of the Garden of Eden and the roles of both Adam and Eve. The main character and his lover play out these same roles. Without him, she couldn’t have become what she did. Without her, he wouldn’t have gone against his values. Without the sins committed together, they may not have been condemned at the end of the film (as Adam and Eve were when kicked out of the garden). Chan-Wook Park’s use of this particular parallel is genius as “Father Hyun” has known the values of Christianity all of this life as a Catholic priest. It’s the fight, such as this, between religion and lusts of life that come together to make this film the masterpiece it truly is. Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Group Analysis of" Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance"
Group Analysis of Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance
Each group member did a small review of Park's first vengeance film. The focus of these individual reviews demonstrate how movies effect each person differently.
ENJOY!!!
Dishon Kamwesa's Review
Favorite Character: Ryu ( the deaf character)
How come? : Ryu seems to have a heart that is full of genuine love for his sister. He works double shifts to save up enough money for his sister’s kidney transplant and even attempts a trade in which he pays and forfeits one of his kidneys in return for a suitable kidney for his sister. Although he is unwise in his actions, his intentions are out of genuine love for his family. I also like him because he messes up… a lot, which leads him into a dire predicament. He is both good and innocently misguided.
Least Favorite Character: My least favorite character was the kidney harvester. 
I am specifically referring to the woman that orchestrated the illegal organ trade business and took advantage of Ryu.
How come? : I did not like her not only because she represented the evil that can exist in greed and theft, but also because she allowed people to be sacrificed in her pursuit of riches. She represented exploitation, greed and a disregard for other people’s well being.
Name a cinematic device that you deem as the most important or stood out to you the most?
I thought that the use of familiar thematic design was important. When Yu-sun died, she died at the river while Ryu was burying the body of his sister, he was mourning the death of someone beloved whom he had lost. For example, when Ryu dies, it is at the same place but this time at the hands of Yu-sun’s father, and he is about to be buried at the riverside as well. The incorporation of familiar scenes and retrospective shots, really gives the viewer the right tools to understand the story.
What did you think the plot was of this film?
There are many complex components to Chan Wook Park’s film Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance. The basic plot of the story is tied around the idea of unfortunate events spiraling out of control as revenge produces death after death. There are a few central characters that are most affected and seem to have the most effect on the outcomes of the other characters; these characters are driven to act in extreme ways to preserve the lives of loved ones in their lives.
Other comment:
The message of the film seems fairly simple; revenge can lead any ordinary man to commit heinous acts of violence upon fellow man. This message is portrayed in several different ways as life after life is wasted in the name of redemption and vengeance. Ultimately in the end the message is brought about full circle with each character meeting a worthy fate. The acting is superior, the cinematic quality supreme and the message is presented in a suitable manner; once again Mr. Park, Bravo.
Sylvia DeMarco's Review
How come? : I did not like her not only because she represented the evil that can exist in greed and theft, but also because she allowed people to be sacrificed in her pursuit of riches. She represented exploitation, greed and a disregard for other people’s well being.
Name a cinematic device that you deem as the most important or stood out to you the most?
I thought that the use of familiar thematic design was important. When Yu-sun died, she died at the river while Ryu was burying the body of his sister, he was mourning the death of someone beloved whom he had lost. For example, when Ryu dies, it is at the same place but this time at the hands of Yu-sun’s father, and he is about to be buried at the riverside as well. The incorporation of familiar scenes and retrospective shots, really gives the viewer the right tools to understand the story.
What did you think the plot was of this film?
There are many complex components to Chan Wook Park’s film Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance. The basic plot of the story is tied around the idea of unfortunate events spiraling out of control as revenge produces death after death. There are a few central characters that are most affected and seem to have the most effect on the outcomes of the other characters; these characters are driven to act in extreme ways to preserve the lives of loved ones in their lives.
Other comment:
The message of the film seems fairly simple; revenge can lead any ordinary man to commit heinous acts of violence upon fellow man. This message is portrayed in several different ways as life after life is wasted in the name of redemption and vengeance. Ultimately in the end the message is brought about full circle with each character meeting a worthy fate. The acting is superior, the cinematic quality supreme and the message is presented in a suitable manner; once again Mr. Park, Bravo.
Sylvia DeMarco's Review
Favorite Character: The Little Girl
How come? : She had this charisma that made me smile inside. I also loved her spirit. She was a feisty little girl. I believe Park created this personality for the little girl on purpose. The reason is because I think he really wanted the audience to be moved by her death.
Most Dislike Character: The Sickly Sister
How come? : Yes, her brother was wrong in kidnapping the young girl. However, it did not mean she needed to kill herself over it. If she thought his act was so horrible; she should have made him return the girl with the money.
Name a cinematic device that you deem as the most important or stood out to you the most?
One formal device that stood out to me was when Ryu’s girlfriend Cha Young-mi, the anarchist revolutionary, was trying to save her life. She warned Park Dong-jin that if he killed her. The fellow members of the anarchist group would revenge her death. I found this powerful formal device because Park found another way to draw in the theme of revenge in another form. Dong-jin was their torturing Young-mi seeking revenge for his daughter’s death and then Young-mi was using the idea of vengeance as a threat and a form power.
What did you think the plot was of this film?
Accomplishing vengeance only brings about unforeseen consequences that in the end make life even worse than before.
Brynt Werntz's Review
Favorite Character: Ryu
How come? : I thought it was a cool effect to the film that he was deaf, and that he did such a great job in acting.
Most Dislike Character: Dong Jin
How come? : I just didn’t like him in the movie. He killed Ryu my favorite character in the movie.
Name a cinematic device that you deem as the most important or stood out to you the most?
It was very graphic and gory, and they did a good job to make it look as real as possible. It really made the effects much more significant and made you cover your eyes for some parts! It was very visually striking!
What did you think the plot was of this film?
Ryu sister needs a kidney, and Ryu goes to have a kidney taken out at the black market. They take his kidney and money and disappear. He gets fired from work, and kidnaps one of the CEO’s of the company and his sister finds out what Ryu did and kills herself. Ryu goes to bury her, and the Dong Jin’s daughter slips and drowns in the water. The rest of the movie is Dong Jin seeking revenge on Ryu.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Review of Simpan (1999) (Judgement)
By: Brynt Werntz
Chan Wook Park writes a story that is during a terrible event that took place in South Korea, and to touch on the issue of greed and capitalism in his country. In 1995, a shopping center collapsed during an earthquake and killed 500 people. The movie starts out in a morgue where a young woman is being examed and identitified. The so called “parents” of the girl arrive to claim her, and really show their emotions of their lost daughter. After a few seconds of pause, the morgue employee says that is his daughter, and this is where the movie controversy begins of who gets the money from the dead daughter. The ending is very unexpected and really adds to the affect of the film.
Set in a cold disturbing morgue, the film is shot in all black and white, which is a device he used to set a scary mood in the story. Judgement’s story line shows Park’s view on the population and how greedy they really are.
Being a short film, there was not a blockbuster budget or award-winning acting. Even though it didn’t have any major features in the film, it still showed how Chan-Wook Park creates an interesting story line, and graphic images. Park uses different camera techniques and focuses on objects to make his point clear to the audience. Not many directors could make this film work, but Park does a great job at writing a twisted plot and keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time.
Interview of Park Chan-Wook by Matt McAllister
By: Dishon Kamwesa
Interview of Park Chan-Wook by Matt McAllister:
Revenge is Sweet
Charlotte St. Hotel, London
http://www.futuremovies.co.uk/filmmaking.asp?ID=155
In the interview by Matt McAllister at the Charlotte St. hotel in London, Park Chan-Wook is asked about the recurring theme of revenge in many of his films. It’s no secret that Park’s movies have a reputation for being rife with overtones of violence and vengeance, which brings up the question “are his films always deliberately controversial?”
If we can take a look at some of the movies viewed within this blog already we see that there is a clear message in all of them of a somewhat sympathetic vengeance. In the Sam gang yi segment “cut” by Park the character is a pitiful extra who is tired of being trampled on and being taken for granted. In Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance the characters are two men who have lost someone very dear to them and seek their revenge. In both of the films however, these characters are killed in their zeal for vengeance. Is there a message here as well?
Park addresses both the violence and vengeance theme as well as the reasoning for these characters and others dying while pursuing revenge. He states “revenge is a desire that everyone has but nobody can realize,” and the reason for why he focuses on it, is to show the destructive nature of that mindset put to action. Park emphasizes the implications of his characters acting out in their anger and vengeance he describes the decision of taking revenge as “total stupidity.” He continues by stating that most people idealize revenge and think of the resolution and happiness that they will come away with one their vengeance is satiated. This is not the picture that his films reveal. Park’s characters almost always find themselves deeply unsatisfied and in fact worse off than when they began, namely…dead.
McAllister then asks Mr. Park why he feels the need to add humor amid such controversial, and arguably dark content. Park explains that he wants the audience to view the movie and really relate to the character. He wants his characters to be isolated, to be focused upon as the individuals that they are. The explanation behind this is that if the audience were to relate, then the situation would not be pleasurable to watch. This makes sense because frankly, his main characters delve into some of the darkest places that the human mind can go and having comic relief makes the crude, real, dark nature of the film bearable to watch.
Park concludes the interview by responding to Mr. McAllister’s question on the seemingly deliberately controversial nature of his films. Park states “filmmakers ask questions of the audience […] modern audiences fail to respond to the questions being asked.” As a result filmmakers must resort to “shocking and stimulating things” to get their attention. He uses the example of modern action movies. Audiences generally find a movie boring unless some sort of explosion happens, or a five-minute fight scene ensues with martial arts and dangerous blades. This, Park says is not the directors’ or actors’ fault, rather the audiences intolerance and desensitization.
At this point I would have to agree. Although Park has been forced to used shock and overstimulation to portray his message, he has done it in a way that still stimulates thought. It is our responsibility as viewers to crawl out of our preconceived molds of film as entertainment and into the sometimes uncomfortable realm of cinema as an intellectual exercise.
Interview of Park Chan-Wook by Matt McAllister:
Revenge is Sweet
Charlotte St. Hotel, London
http://www.futuremovies.co.uk/filmmaking.asp?ID=155
In the interview by Matt McAllister at the Charlotte St. hotel in London, Park Chan-Wook is asked about the recurring theme of revenge in many of his films. It’s no secret that Park’s movies have a reputation for being rife with overtones of violence and vengeance, which brings up the question “are his films always deliberately controversial?”
If we can take a look at some of the movies viewed within this blog already we see that there is a clear message in all of them of a somewhat sympathetic vengeance. In the Sam gang yi segment “cut” by Park the character is a pitiful extra who is tired of being trampled on and being taken for granted. In Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance the characters are two men who have lost someone very dear to them and seek their revenge. In both of the films however, these characters are killed in their zeal for vengeance. Is there a message here as well?
Park addresses both the violence and vengeance theme as well as the reasoning for these characters and others dying while pursuing revenge. He states “revenge is a desire that everyone has but nobody can realize,” and the reason for why he focuses on it, is to show the destructive nature of that mindset put to action. Park emphasizes the implications of his characters acting out in their anger and vengeance he describes the decision of taking revenge as “total stupidity.” He continues by stating that most people idealize revenge and think of the resolution and happiness that they will come away with one their vengeance is satiated. This is not the picture that his films reveal. Park’s characters almost always find themselves deeply unsatisfied and in fact worse off than when they began, namely…dead.
McAllister then asks Mr. Park why he feels the need to add humor amid such controversial, and arguably dark content. Park explains that he wants the audience to view the movie and really relate to the character. He wants his characters to be isolated, to be focused upon as the individuals that they are. The explanation behind this is that if the audience were to relate, then the situation would not be pleasurable to watch. This makes sense because frankly, his main characters delve into some of the darkest places that the human mind can go and having comic relief makes the crude, real, dark nature of the film bearable to watch.
Park concludes the interview by responding to Mr. McAllister’s question on the seemingly deliberately controversial nature of his films. Park states “filmmakers ask questions of the audience […] modern audiences fail to respond to the questions being asked.” As a result filmmakers must resort to “shocking and stimulating things” to get their attention. He uses the example of modern action movies. Audiences generally find a movie boring unless some sort of explosion happens, or a five-minute fight scene ensues with martial arts and dangerous blades. This, Park says is not the directors’ or actors’ fault, rather the audiences intolerance and desensitization.
At this point I would have to agree. Although Park has been forced to used shock and overstimulation to portray his message, he has done it in a way that still stimulates thought. It is our responsibility as viewers to crawl out of our preconceived molds of film as entertainment and into the sometimes uncomfortable realm of cinema as an intellectual exercise.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Review of Sam gang yi (Three...Extremes) by Dishon K
Students of cinema Sam gang yi is a masterpiece! Sam gang yi (Three...Extremes) is a three part collaboration by directors/writers Chan-wook Park, Takashi Miike and Fruit Chan. The three segments "Dumplings", "Cut", and "The Box" involve three different stories of individuals that find themselves in situations that develop into nightmares. For the purposes of the blog i will focus on the segment by the director Chan Wook Park, titled "Cut".
("Cut" is played by actor Byung-hun Lee whose picture is on the left)
The segment is about a director who seemingly has the perfect life, wealth, fame, a beautiful wife, and a prospering career. One evening this director goes home after a successful day of filming a vampire film and is attacked by an intruder whom he has presumably never seen before. After being incapacitated the director wakes up to find himself on the very same film set he has just come home from which happens to be the same exact design as his house. He is bound with an elastic band that extends beyond the set and his beautiful wife is sitting at a piano strung up like a puppet. At this point the story begins to unfold as the intruder introduces himself and shares with the director his plan and reasoning for their current dilemma. The intruder happens to have been an extra in each of the director's films! The reasoning for their current dilemma is that the director is too good of a man!
This all seems very confusing until we begin to look deeper into the intruders reasoning. The director has everything that the extra does not have, good looks, wealth, beautiful wife, success; with all these things it is unfair for the director to also possess "goodness". Evil must reside somewhere in him, this is what the intruder wants to find. Through out the rest of the segment the intruder devises a challenge in order to uncover the director's dark side. The challenge is... kill an innocent child or watch all of his wife's fingers be cut off one by one, leaving her unable to do the one thing she loves, play piano.
Park cleverly makes use of color and camera schemes and juxtaposition to make some very distinct points in this segment. The juxtaposition of the intruder and the director, the good the bad, the implied and the obvious are interwoven in the story to recall seemingly unimportant details that in the end are crucial to understanding the segment. In the main character's film there are several scenes which are recalled as the story progresses, such as the use of a similar instrument, or the positioning of a certain character. This effect gives the viewer a triple layered effect of theater within theater within theater, through this the use of layering and repetition the viewer is forced to look into the narrative that is occurring to peel away the meaning.
Toward the end of the story the intruder is now directing a masterpiece of his own, he has placed the director in a position which forces him to be honest. At this point the director indulges the intruder and confesses his infidelity with one of the actresses that he has directed. He explains that he does not even really care for his wife, and is more in love with this other girl and has been for some time. This should please the intruder but, he is not satiated. The drama plays out as the intruder explains in detail how he has just strangled his wife , and would have killed his son too but he couldn't follow through. As the segment reaches it's climactic ending, the main character attempts to kill the innocent child in order to save his wife and marriage when he learns that the innocent child is indeed the intruder's son.
In the following sequence of events, the intruder gets tangled in the wires suspending the beautiful wife and is killed by the her as she bites into his neck and sucks his blood. The director stares in horror as this happens, meanwhile the son of the intruder awakens and vows revenge. Frankly at this point i was confused as to what actually happens, because in a twist of events, the director becomes disoriented and attacks his wife. As he approaches her, he addresses her as though he is talking to the child, explaining why he has to kill him in order to preserve his marriage. The segment ends with the director strangling his own wife, the camera swirling is around him, and the child is sitting tied up on the couch staring at the scene angrily.
The viewer for a moment is left puzzled and possibly frustrated by this ending, but the satisfaction comes from knowing that there is a meaning to everything in the segment. Every sound, camera angle, prop, dialogue, and narrative background is used to connect the story of irony and revenge. Overall, the segment is masterfully crafted and directed, although it may not be satisfying to the typical Western audience it is absolutely a technically and artfully sound cinematic work.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Short Review about Chan-wook Park
We believe the better to understand our future blogs about Park's films is to understand him a little more. So please enjoy this post written by Ben Rinehart regarding the amazing South Korean director...
Park Chan-wook is an enigmatic character of the Korean cinema. His films are known for being genre-films and, in particular, for being very graphic and brutal. Still, there is an ethereal quality to his movies that make many scenes seem strangely comical and outlandish, while at the same time touching upon some innate human tendencies. He is a master at subtly exploiting those tendencies through the lens of the genres which he chooses to use in his movies.
In 2005, Park Chan-wook sat down with Damon Smith for a short interview for the Bright Lights Films Journal. In this interview, Chan-wook discussed some of the themes and film-making styles that he likes to explore (and exploit, more about that later though). In particular, as Lady Revenge had just come out at the time, Smith wanted to hone in on the themes of revenge, genres, and gender.
On the theme of gender, Chan-wook, in his usual Korean humility admits that “I don't really know women that well, so there are limits to how much I can portray.” (I found this to be entirely over-staed, as the main female protagonist in Lady Revenge proves to be an elusive feme fatale who Chan-wook has crafted masterfully.) He goes on to point out the interesting plot twist at the end where the female character chooses, with her prey in her possession, to allow those who were most hurt by him to exact a final vengeance instead of killing him herself.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Intoduction Blog
Hello fellow bloggers, film watchers and students of culture. We are embarking on a journey of a man whose life is thousands of miles away although his impact is right before our faces. We will be studying some of the films, articles and interviews of the South Korean writer/director Chan Wook Park and analyze the impact that his works have had on the film international film industry. Through careful critique we will delve into the intricacies of Mr. Parks’ films and the importance they have in understanding the South Korean culture. The films we will be watching include the following:
We decided as a group to watch three movies together that are part of a trilogy. Vengeance Trilogy:
1. Boksuneun naui geot, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002)
2. Oldeuboi, OLDBOY (2003)
3. Chinjeolhan geumjassi, Lady Vengeance (2005)
The fellowing people will watch one other movie:
1. Bakjwi, Thirst (2009) – Angie
2. Sam gang yi, Three Extremes (Segment “cut”) (2004) – Dishon
3. Simpan, Judgment (1999)- Brynt
4. Gongdong gyeongbi guyeok, Joint Security Area (1992)- Nicole
5. Saibogujiman kwenchana, I’m a Cyborg, but That’s OK! (2006)- Ben
Sylvia will be in charge of posting and organizing the group over all preformance.
We will also analyze several articles/ interviews over the course of the next few weeks in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of Mr. Parks’ work. A beginning list:
1. Interview during the Edinburgh International Film Festival by Neil Young on: OLDBOY.
http://www.jigsawlounge.co.uk/film/parkchanwookinterview.html
2. Interview by a Damon Smith of “Bright Lights Journal” on: “Acts of Revenge: Lady Vengeance and more.”
http://www.brightlightsfilm.com/53/parkiv.php
3. An interview by Asia Pacific Arts staff Ada Tseng on: “Thirst”.
http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=111331
Through the use of these and other pertinent resources we will explore the work of Chan Wook Park in an effort to more clearly understand the relevance of his work to an international collegiate audience. The world is a classroom in which we are all students, cinema is a means of education; let’s begin learning shall we?
We decided as a group to watch three movies together that are part of a trilogy. Vengeance Trilogy:
1. Boksuneun naui geot, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002)
2. Oldeuboi, OLDBOY (2003)
3. Chinjeolhan geumjassi, Lady Vengeance (2005)
The fellowing people will watch one other movie:
1. Bakjwi, Thirst (2009) – Angie
2. Sam gang yi, Three Extremes (Segment “cut”) (2004) – Dishon
3. Simpan, Judgment (1999)- Brynt
4. Gongdong gyeongbi guyeok, Joint Security Area (1992)- Nicole
5. Saibogujiman kwenchana, I’m a Cyborg, but That’s OK! (2006)- Ben
Sylvia will be in charge of posting and organizing the group over all preformance.
We will also analyze several articles/ interviews over the course of the next few weeks in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of Mr. Parks’ work. A beginning list:
1. Interview during the Edinburgh International Film Festival by Neil Young on: OLDBOY.
http://www.jigsawlounge.co.uk/film/parkchanwookinterview.html
2. Interview by a Damon Smith of “Bright Lights Journal” on: “Acts of Revenge: Lady Vengeance and more.”
http://www.brightlightsfilm.com/53/parkiv.php
3. An interview by Asia Pacific Arts staff Ada Tseng on: “Thirst”.
http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=111331
Through the use of these and other pertinent resources we will explore the work of Chan Wook Park in an effort to more clearly understand the relevance of his work to an international collegiate audience. The world is a classroom in which we are all students, cinema is a means of education; let’s begin learning shall we?
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