Film Illiterate, wherein the proprietor records movies seen, and sporadic progress through assorted lists of the "best". Originally started after regretfully renting something forgettable for the third time. I've forgotten what, but never again! A tedious endeavour since 2005. Hello. 🙂
Also known as
Gongdong gyeongbi guyeok JSA
Lists
A neutral investigator handling an incident in the Korean demilitarized zone finds -- in typical Chan-wook Park form -- a bunch of dead people and a hopelessly depressing back-story. It doesn't have the same emotional power as the vengeance trilogy or Cyborg, however, in part because the tragedy is in overt service to reunification politics. The whole thing feels quietly, cynically manipulative.
But it's a story extraordinarily well-told, slick and utterly gripping. A few scenes -- such as the meeting in the snow field -- stick in the mind for a long, long time, and if it's too political, well, at least South Korea comes off just as badly as the North.
Excellent, and probably the ideal introduction to Park's work. Much less excruciating than those that came after.