Samaria (2004)

Genre: Drama

Samaria (or known as Samaritan Girl) is another outstanding work from director Ki-duk Kim. Filmed year after he gained international acclaim with Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring and in the same year as his other masterpiece 3-Iron. This movie notably earned him Silver Bear award for Best Director in  Berlin International Film Festival 2004.

Two teenage girls dream about trip to Europe, and as the source of the money they engage in prostitution. Jae-yeong (Yeo-reum Han) is the one who sleeps with clients and Yeo-jin (Ji-min Kwak) leads a role of improvised manager, a pimp, setting up "meetings", managing money and covering her friend while on job. One day she fails her duty and Jae-yeong finds herself amid police raid and in attempt to escape she hurts herself badly and soon after she dies in hospital. This turn of events leads Yeo-jin into guilt driven journey to pay back the money to past clients and sleeping with them in some kind of twisted redemption for her part in death of her friend. Her father, who is police detective, eventually learns about her doings and while unable to confront her, he instead takes his anger onto man with whom she slept.

Samaria is split into three chapters, Vasumitra, Samaria and Sonata, each trying to focus on different thematic aspects. Ki-duk Kim wanted to shed some light onto topic about prostitution of minors that is a big problem in Korea, but more important, being accomplished showing human nature in his works, to provide a closer look into relationships of people involved in such affairs. And he does it masterfully. A portray of tragedy that touches everyone around, it's full of believable sorrow and grief.

Another Korean drama where state of happiness is nowhere to be found, don't come looking for it here.

Interesting fact about the movie, similar to 3-Iron, is that it was filmed in about 11 days with tiny budget, a sign how skilled and crafty Ki-duk Kim and actors he worked with are, to be able to produces such quality film in such short time, showing that the budget and time don't play big roles in creative processes handled by someone talented and willing to create.

If Silver Bear is not convincing enough to watch it, I don't know what is. Highly recommended.

DVD from Amazon.

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring (2003)

Genre: Drama














Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring (Bom yeoreum gaeul gyeoul geurigo bom) is another masterpiece from director Ki-duk Kim (see 3-Iron). This time the theme he touches is about cycles of life, the passage of time, and emotions that accompany us during the journey. He does it brilliantly, with small cast and limited, yet picturesque set.

A small lake in mountains, a floating temple that calmly drifts in the middle, a monk who lives there. Soon a child appears, whom monk takes as his apprentice. Time passes and student grows up, he makes mistakes, gets punished by master, leaves, confronts the world outside, and comes back learned some harsh life lessons. But seasons don't stop, they go on and on...

This film is imbued by Buddhism themes, and can be easily viewed as one of the many Buddhist fables. It's slow and uneventful, yet it captivates by it's simplicity and sheer beauty, be it of nature or human.

Production of two countries, South Korea and Germany, with full creative control of Ki-duk Kim, whom himself makes a cameo, in a role of older monk towards the ending of the movie.

Movie definitely not for everyone, yet if it clicks, it's one of the joys that shows how powerful film can be in masterful hands.

DVD from Amazon.
DVD from YesAsia.

3-Iron (2004)

Genre: Drama, Romance














A masterpiece from master of Korean drama - Ki-duk Kim, which earned him many awards, including Best Director award at 2004 Venice International Film Festival and granted international recognition of his talent. After premier at said festival he received 15 minute long standing ovations from audience.

3-Iron (Bin-jip, "Empty House" as translated from Korean language) follows drifting youth Tae-suk (Hyun-kyoon Lee) who breaks into houses of other people while they are away, but instead of robbing them, he cleans up, washes clothes, repairs home appliances and so on. In a way he partakes in the lives of these people. One day house which he visits is not empty, he is being spotted by housewife Sun-hwa (Seung-yeon Lee). He leaves, only to return later on and witness abuse which she is subject to from her husband. A love story begins.

Interesting thing about the movie is that the main character doesn't speak, but his performance of body language and mimics is astonishing and probably expresses much more than the words could possibly do.

Must see.

DVD (US) from Amazon.
DVD (UK) from YesAsia.