Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Yaya]

For those who want to watch a quality Korean film, I highly recommend Kim Ki-duk's Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring (��, ����, ����, �ܿ� �׸��� ��). It's getting rave reviews in the US on both coasts - AO Scott of the NY Times has lauded this film - and in Europe (one person said it got a 15-minute applause at the end of a 3,000-audience screening in Switzerland.

For the NY Times review of the film, click here:

http://movies2.nytimes.com/2004/03/31/movies/31SPRI.html

It's available on DVD.

[Gwangjuboy]

Who stars in it? My best Korean film to date is JSA. Some powerful stuff by the actor who also stared in "salin er chu ok".

[kangnamdragon]

When did it play in Korea?

[Yaya]

Not sure when it played in Korea, but it's being screened in the US and Europe now to rave reviews. It has little dialogue and BEAUTIFUL scenery. Plus, the little monk in the beginning of the movie is so so cute.

JSA would've been better had it not been for that completely useless female character. Seriously, why the hell was she even in the movie, and they had to pick an actress whose English was horrendous! Shiri was a pioneer film in the Korean industry but to me, it was a B-grade action flick.

Another good Buddhist film from Korea is "Little Monk" or ����, and it's also available on DVD. But of course, the king of all Buddhist movies from Korea is "Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East?" You can buy the latter on DVD from an American online e-tailer.

[Squid]

Thanks for the tip. Squid the cinephile will check it out.

Try " The Way home", couple of years old now, great film.

[waggo]

[Swiss James]

Aigo! Will someone please explain to me what they enjoyed about "The Way Home"?
Have I been too brainwashed by Hollywood into thinking that the kid should have learnt the error of his ways by the end? I don't count drawing a few pictures as making up for what he put his grandma through.

[sorry if I spoilt it for anyone]

[Squid]

Swiss.

The cinematography is excellent. Ok the story is hackneyed and trite, but the visuals rock.

Just my opine.

[Yaya]

[komtengi]

Its on DVD at the moment. He may make great looking films, but he is one rude *beep*

[Yaya]

Check out this insightful analysis from imdb.com

Rupert Breheny
London, England

Date: 28 April 2004
Summary: SYMBOLISM AND MEANING

At the risk of boring you all senseless here are some observations off the top of my head.

THE HUT Representing the self. All the possessions and shelter needed is on the floating hut. When the young man can no longer live at peace and comfort in the hut then bad things transpire. He never commits lustful acts in the hut. When we seek happiness outside ourselves, we are never truly content.

THE DOORS The doors by the lakeside and in the hut are symbolic rather than prescriptive. The fact there are no walls means their use is not forced but elected. They represent morality and discipline. Morality is not defined by a higher power but by society and the self. By adopting the constraints the doors engender, self-discipline is attained. As soon as the young man transgresses these self-imposed boundaries, to sneak across to the young woman, then disaster follows.

THE DEAD ANIMALS The Master allows the young boy to let the animals die. He does not become an all powerful father figure, cleaning up after him, but allows him to make mistakes and suffer the consequences. Buddhism does not have a higher power but rather promotes self-awareness.

THE MILLSTONE AND BUDDHA Represent the twin stones of regret for killing the fish and the snake. What you do unto others, you do unto yourself. He has carried that karma around with him all his life until he transcends them both, carrying them to the top of the hill, near heaven. Here he cuts himself free and attains redemption through struggle.

THE MASTER Is a great teacher, but does not lecture. Hardly a word is spoken, but lessons are learned. A good teacher points the way for a student to discover self-evident knowledge for themselves.

THE MOTHER The veil, representing guilt and shame are ultimately the cause of her downfall. Hiding from the outside world can bring about ruin.

THE YOUNG BOY Both at the beginning and the end, represents us. A good life is attained not by the absence of bad thoughts, but rather by their mastery, so they have no hold over us. We choose our behaviour rather than it choose us. The new boy is not born without sin, but rather must walk his own path to divinity. The same actor playing the young boy show the eternal cycle of the human soul.

THE SEASONS The endless cycle of birth, growth and death.

[little mixed girl]

.....

[bibimbap]

check out the trailer here:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/springsummerfallwinterspring.html/