To avoid an international
conflict after the alleged murder of two North Korean soldiers by one South
Korean Soldier, a team of neutral investigators is brought in to examine all
the evidence and interview the suspect. However, upon digging deeper, something
just does not fit the official story: sixteen bullets are recovered for a gun
that only holds fifteen. So what really happened?
The film is written and directed
by Korean auteur Chan-wook
Park. While it is his third feature, the film served as his breakthrough
both in Korean and for an international audience. He has since gone on to make
the acclaimed films Oldboy, Lady Vengeance,
and Thirst.
He also directed this year’s Stoker.
Park worked with composers Jun-Seok
Bang and Yeong-wook Jo,
cinematographer Sung-Bok Kim,
and art director James David
Goldmark on the film.
With J.S.A. Chan-wook Park plays
in many genres. At face value, the film works as a mystery with the details of
what really happened slowly being divulged to the audience. The film can also
be taken as a political statement about the ridiculous of Koreans being raised
to hate and fear their neighbors (to the North or South). But, personally, I think
it works best as a character piece, looking at the transformation of a man
through friendship. It is a must-see for fans of Asian cinema and those that
enjoy mysteries.
Trailer: Here
Available on: DVD
No comments:
Post a Comment