The film is about a deliveryman from a rural small town in South Korea where he reconnects with a childhood neighbor as she asks him to watch a cat where she takes a trip to Africa where she meets a rich young man who raises some suspicion into his secret activities. It is a film with a unique premise as it is more about a man who lives at rural area with a farm that is nearly neglected while he works delivering things where he meets a young woman who used to be his neighbor as they rekindle their friendship. The film’s screenplay by Lee Chang-dong and Oh Jung-mi has its main protagonist in Lee Jong-su (Yoo Ah-In) who lives in a rural farmland area near Paju near the North-South Korean border where he meets Shin Hae-mi (Jeon Jong-seo) who is working as a dancer for a raffle where Jong-su wins a watch that is for girls. The two reacquaint themselves with Hae-mi set to go on a trip to Africa as Jong-su falls for her where he takes care of her cat even though he never sees the cat.
When Jong-su picks up Hae-mi from the airport, she is joined by a man named Ben (Steven Yeun) who is rich and later takes them to clubs, posh restaurants, and such where Jong-su is confused by Ben and his friendly demeanor. Even as it does play into this social difference as Jong-su living near a farm and Hae-mi living in a tiny apartment while Ben lives in a posh apartment. There is also a subplot in which Jong-su is dealing with the fact that his father (Choi Seung-ho) is in trial over an assault case as Jong-su is going through money problems with a failing farm as it is a big difference to the fact that Ben has it all yet confesses to Jong-su that he burns greenhouses in rural areas that only raises more suspicion for Jong-su who would notice something isn’t right as it relates to Ben.
Chang-dong’s direction is definitely mesmerizing in terms of its approach to long shots as well as its emphasis on simplicity. Shot largely on location in areas in Paju near the border between North and South Korea as the city is based on the latter. The film does play into this world where there is this social disparity of sorts in where both Jong-su and Hae-mi live in as the first shot of the film is a near two-minute tracking shot of Jong-su carrying some things for a store as he walks into the store but the camera only stops at the entrance to introduce Hae-mi who is dancing to some music with another girl holding a microphone. It’s among some of the intricate shooting that Chang-dong would create as he also uses some unique wide and medium shots of the city but also the rural farm area that Jong-su lives in that features loudspeaker audio from afar from North Korea spouting propaganda. Chang-dong does play into this reality that Hae-mi and Jong-su are definitely a part of as they struggle to make money with the latter also dealing with his father going to jail as he tries to get others in his community to sign a petition in the hope he gets a lighter sentence.
Chang-dong does use some close-ups for a few intimate moments including a sex scene in the first act between Hae-mi and Jong-su while the conversation at Jong-su’s home with him and Ben is a key moment that leads to the film’s second act as it also include a flashback of a young Jong-su watching a greenhouse burst into flames. The film then shifts in tone but in a slow manner as it play into Jong-su trying to figure out who Ben is but also about a greenhouse nearby that was supposedly burned. Chang-dong’s direction also feature these intricate scenes of Jong-su following Ben’s car as it also play into this sharp social contrast where Ben’s car is something a rich person would buy while Jong-su is driving a white truck that has been through a lot of years. Its third act isn’t just about Ben’s own lifestyle and how he’s able to have this charmed life but also this social disparity that allows him to do whatever he wants with Jong-su being used. Overall, Chang-dong crafts a provocative and rapturous film about a deliveryman and a young woman who befriend a charming rich man unaware of his dark secrets.
Cinematographer Hong Kyung-po does brilliant work with the film’s cinematography with its naturalistic approach to some of the exterior scenes set in the morning and evening as well as an interior scene at Hae-mi’s apartment where the sunlight is a key factor. Editors Kim Hyeon and Kim Da-won do excellent work with the editing as it does have bits of style in some of the transitional fade-outs as well as some rhythmic cuts that help play into the suspense. Production designer Shin Jum-hee does amazing work with the look of Hae-mi’s apartment as well as the look of Ben’s posh apartment and the farm where Jong-su lives in. Costume designer Lee Choong-yeon does fantastic work with the costumes from the more casual look of both Jong-su and Hae-mi to the more posh-like clothes that Ben wears.
Special effects supervisor Ryoo Young-il and visual effects supervisor Suk Joong Kim do terrific work with some of the film’s visual effects that mainly play into a few scenes involving fire. Sound designer Lee Seung-cheol does superb work with the sound in the way music is presented at a speaker or at a club as well as the sound of the loudspeaker heard from the North Korean border. The film’s music by Lee Sung-hyun aka Mowg is incredible for its brooding music score that features elements of eerie percussions, warbling bass, and other intriguing instrumentation that help play into the suspense and drama while its soundtrack feature some K-pop music from Sistar, Nana D., and Krein as well as a piece of music for a major moment from Miles Davis.
The film’s wonderful ensemble cast feature some notable small roles from Lee Bong-ryun as Hae-mi’s sister whom Jong-su meets late in the film, Ban Hye-ra as Jong-su’s estranged mother whom he sees late in the film about his father, Min Boi-gi as a judge at Jong-su’s father case, Moon Sung-keun as the lawyer representing Jong-su’s father, Choi Seung-ho as Jong-su’s father, and Kim Soo-Kyung as a young woman who is with Ben in the film’s third act. Jeon Jong-seo is incredible as Shin Hae-mi as a young woman who works as a dancer for a department store who is an old neighbor of Jong-su as she is hoping to live a fruitful life despite her lack of direction as she is also someone that likes to dance.
Steven Yeun is phenomenal as Ben as this young rich man who has it all but also has a hobby that involves burning abandoned greenhouses as he is a man of charm but also someone that carries a lot of intrigue in his home and how he uses his wealth. Finally, Yoo Ah-in in a sensational performance as Lee Jong-su as this deliveryman who lives in a dilapidated farm with a young calf who reacquaints himself with a neighbor he hadn’t seen since childhood as he falls for her and then becomes suspicious of her new friend while dealing with things around him that only raises his concerns for Hae-mi.
Beoning is an outstanding film from Lee Chang-dong that features a trio of great performances from Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun, and Jeon Jong-seo. Along with its gorgeous visuals, commentary on social disparity and influence, entrancing sound work, and a haunting music score by Mowg. The film is definitely a suspense-drama that doesn’t play by the rules while also providing some unique commentary on how people can use people with someone being aware that they’re being used. In the end, Beoning is a magnificent film from Lee Chang-dong.
Lee Chang-dong Films: (Green Fish) – (Peppermint Candy) – (Oasis (2002 film)) – Secret Sunshine - Poetry (2010 film)
© thevoid99 2022
(Winner of the Best Screenplay Prize to Lee Chang-dong at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival)
Written and directed by Lee Chang-dong, Poetry is the story of a sixty-something woman who finds solace in poetry as she deals with her growing Alzheimer’s disease, her grandson, and the suicide of a young girl her grandson might know about. The film is an exploration of a woman dealing with not just losing aspects of herself but also deal with tragedy and horror as she would find an outlet through something as simple as poetry. Starring Yoon Jeong-hee and Lee David. Poetry is a mesmerizing and somber film from Lee Chang-dong.
The film is a simple story of a woman in her mid-60s who decides to take up poetry to fill her time where she deals with her moody grandson as well as his possible involvement in the suicide of a girl he knows in school. Adding to these horrific revelations is learning she has early stages of Alzheimer’s disease where she turns to poetry for solace in the hopes she would create a poem that would express everything she’s feeling. Lee Chang-dong’s screenplay does have a traditional three-act structure as it explores the world that Yang Mi-Ja (Yoon Jeong-hee) who is trying to live a good life where she nurses an elderly man for a friend while trying to make sure her grandson Jong-wook (Lee David) does well despite being lazy and moody. Even as she becomes suspicious of activities he does with his friends where it could relate to the suicide of this girl who was found in a river. For Mi-Ja, the events in her life as well as pressure from the fathers of Joon-wook’s friends who want her to pay 5 million won as compensation for the girl’s family as they will also put up 5 million each.
Chang-dong’s direction is very restrained for the fact that it doesn’t bear any kind of style in favor of something that is very simple and to the point. While it opens with the scene of children playing by the river where they would find the body of this young girl. The scene would set the tone for Mi-Ja’s world to slowly unravel as this quaint and simple life she has would eventually vanish as the film progresses. Chang-dong’s compositions emphasize more on intimacy in its usage of close-ups and medium shots in not just Mi-Ja’s home life but also in the classroom for her poetry lessons and at the home of this elderly man who had suffered a stroke. There are a few wide shots to capture some of the locations as they’re set in rural and small city areas in South Korea where it would play into some of the ideas Mi-Ja would write for her poem as it would serve as the film’s climax.
Especially as it relates to some of the darker aspects in the film while Chang-dong would also create moments that are offbeat as it relates to the elderly man Mi-Ja would nurse. Still, Chang-dong maintains a sense of restraint where it does lead to Mi-Ja not only coming to terms with what she is facing but also the fact that her grandson hasn’t said anything nor is willing though she remains suspicious. There is also the fact that Mi-Ja hasn’t said anything to her daughter who has no idea about not just her son but also what her mother is facing which adds some ambiguity to what Mi-Ja is doing. Yet, her actions play into a woman not just losing herself but also aware that she has no control of her illness but is willing to accept that. The film’s ending is the poem itself but it also has an air of mystique and melancholia as it relates to everything Mi-Ja has been through as well as the loss she finds herself connected to. Overall, Chang-dong crafts an intoxicating and touching film about a woman channeling herself through the art of poetry.
Cinematographer Kim Hyun-seok does excellent work with the film‘s cinematography to capture some of the brightness in some of the colors for many of the daytime exterior scenes in the city along with some more naturalistic look in some of the interiors with some low-key lights for the scenes set at night. Editor Kim Hyeon does terrific work with the editing as it is mostly straightforward with a few jump-cuts for some of the poetry reading at the poetry class that Mi-Ja attends. Production designer Sihm Jeom-hui does nice work with the look of the apartment that Mi-Ja and Jong-wook live in as well as the poetry class and places that she goes to. Costume designer Lee Choong-yeon does wonderful work with the costumes as it is mostly casual with some of the colorful yet plain clothing that Mi-Ja wears. The sound work of Lee Seung-cheol is terrific as it captures much of the natural sound that is on display including some of the wonders that Mi-Ja would take notes on for her poem.
The film’s phenomenal cast include some notable small roles from Park Meyong-sin as the girl’s mother, Min Bok-gi and Ahn Nae-Sang as a couple of father is Jong-wook’s friends, and Kim Hye-jung as the old man that Mi-Ja would nurse. Lee David is excellent as the moody Jong-wook as a kid who is like the typical teenager as he is very secretive about his possible involvement with the death of this young girl. Finally, there’s Yoon Jeong-hee in a sensational performance as Yang Mi-Ja as a simple elderly woman who takes up poetry as she deals with the fact that she is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease as well as the possibility that her grandson might be involved in a girl’s suicide as it’s a performance that is radiant but also very eerie as she just maintains a sense of grace throughout her performance.
Poetry is a remarkable film from Lee Chang-dong that features an incredible performance from Yoon Jeong-hee. Along with some lush visuals and a subtle yet restrained narrative that doesn’t reveal too much while maintaining a sense of grace. It’s a film that is a lot of things but it is told with a sensitivity that explores an old woman coming to terms with loss. In the end, Poetry is a rapturous film from Lee Chang-dong.
Lee Chang-dong Films: (Green Fish) - (Peppermint Candy) - (Oasis (2002 film)) - Secret Sunshine - Burning (2018 film)
© thevoid99 2016
(Winner of the Best Actress Prize to Jeon Do-yeon at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival)
Based on short story The Story of a Bug by Lee Cheong-jun, Secret Sunshine is the story of a widowed piano teacher who relocates to a small town with her son following the death of her husband as things get worse through troubling circumstances as a woman tries to start over. Written for the screen and directed by Lee Chang-dong, the film is an exploration into grief and faith as a woman struggles with the new challenges she faces in her life. Starring Jeon Do-yeon, Song Kang-ho, and Kim Young-jae. Secret Sunshine is a tremendously harrowing yet mesmerizing film from Lee Chang-dong.
The film is the story about a woman named Lee Shin-ae (Jeon Do-yeon) coping with loss as she decides to start all over with her son by relocating to her late husband’s hometown. With the help of a kind mechanic named Kim Jong-chan (Song Kang-ho), she becomes part of this small city until something tragic would happen as she descends into despair where she would go into a journey to find some idea of salvation. It’s a film that plays into the life of a woman as she is eager to make a new life for herself but things don’t go her way as she would descend into madness where she seeks to find something that can save her. It’s a melodrama that is told with such restraint as it doesn’t just explore loss but also faith as a woman begins to ask questions about the will of God.
Lee Chang-dong’s script takes its time to explore the trials and tribulations of Lee Shin-ae as she is this very gifted piano player who comes to the small city of Milyang that is translated as “secret sunshine” in Chinese. With her son Jun (Seon Jung-yeob), the two are hoping to find a new life in this small town until something happens where Lee faces some of the most devastating moments of her life. The script has a traditional structure where the first act is about Lee’s attempt to start over and her encounter with tragedy while the second act is about Lee’s desire to find salvation with Kim joining her to become a Born-again Christian just to support her. The third act is about Lee’s disillusionment with God and faith as she starts to act out while confronting Kim about his feelings for her as it all comes down to the loss that Lee has endured.
Chang-dong’s direction is very understated in its approach to melodrama as he shoots everything in location in Milyang and some of its nearby locations. The direction is filled with some very simple yet exotic images of the city and some of its places including Christian churches where people are trying to find some salvation. Though Chang-dong is aware that the people who are trying to help Lee have good intentions, they are definitely oblivious to how deep her pain is. Even as the direction does have some elements of style including some scenes where Lee is trying to see if God will talk to her as an act of defiance. Still, Chang-dong is willing to follow Lee in every moment she’s in while giving some time towards Kim who is eager to help her and win her over though it would prove to be complicated as Lee becomes more erratic and in despair. Overall, Chang-dong creates a very chilling yet powerful film about loss and faith.
Cinematographer Cho Yong-kyu does excellent work with the film‘s very colorful yet naturalistic cinematography to play up the world of Milyang as well as some stylish lights for some interior scenes at night. Editor Kim Hyun does terrific work to the editing as it‘s mostly low-key and straightforward with a few jump-cuts to play out some of its drama. Production designer Sihn Jeom-hui does nice work with the set pieces from the piano place and home that Lee lives in to the churches she and Kim attend.
Costume designers Cha Sun-young and Kim Nuri do fine work with the costumes as it‘s mostly casual to play up the personality of the characters. The sound work of Steve R. Seo is superb for the setting it creates in the church scenes as well as the more intimate moments at Lee‘s home. The music of Christian Sasso is quite serene to play up the sense of melancholia with its heavy, string-based score.
The film’s cast is brilliant as it features some notable small roles from Kim Young-jae as Lee’s brother, Cho Young-jim as Jun’s schoolteacher, Song Mi-rim as the schoolteacher’s troubled daughter, and Seon Jung-yeob as Lee’s son Jun. Song Kang-ho is great as the very kind mechanic Kim who falls for Lee as he tries to help her get back on her feet as he does whatever to win her over. Finally, there’s Jeon Do-yeon in an unforgettable performance as Lee Shin-ae where Do-yeon displays a performance that is just entrancing to watch as a woman whose sense of hope to start over becomes lost in grief and despair while descending downward into a state of madness as it’s a truly haunting performance.
Secret Sunshine is an incredible film from Lee Chang-dong that features a magnificent performance from Jeon Do-yeon. It’s a film that explores the world of death and tragedy as well as one woman’s yearning for salvation. It’s also a very mesmerizing film that also explores the fallacy of faith and how it can take someone into the wrong direction. In the end, Secret Sunshine is a phenomenal film from Lee Chang-dong.
Lee Chang-dong films: (Green Fish) - (Peppermint Candy) - (Oasis (2002 film)) - Poetry - Burning (2018 film)
© thevoid99 2013
