|
The new work “Secret Sunshine” from director Lee Chang-dong, who has delighted film festival goers for the past 10 years with his films “Green Fish,” “Peppermint Candy,” and “Oasis,” brings to light a true human experience like no film before.
“Secret Sunshine” is about a woman named Shin-ae who moves with her young son from Seoul to Milyang (Chinese for “secret sunshine”), a nondescript city in southeastern Korea.
There, she lives through a horrible tragedy.
The film is not so much about the tragedy itself as about its aftermath.
Shin-ae is drawn into a protestant Christian group where she is “born again.”
Much like a work of literary fiction, this film deeply uncovers Shin-ae as a character.
Newcomer Jeon Do-yeon, who in May won the prize for best Female Actor at Cannes Film Festival, plays the lead role of Shin-ae.
This is easily one of the best performances of the year and must be a credit to the great direction of Lee.
Lee is also known for the somewhat heartless manner in which he treats his actors on the set, pushing them to extremes in pursuit of the perfect shot, but also providing them with very little guidance.
Alongside Shin-ae for most of the film is her fast-talking car repairman friend played by Song Kang-ho.
Speaking in a strong accent, Song provides welcome moments of bittersweet humor but also gives viewers an added pair of eyes through which we can view Shin-ae.
Within the film commentary Lee Chang-dong suggests that his film is like a novel.
In this novel, Lee explores contemporary Korean life with Shin-ae as the people of Korea and their reaction to the suffering of life.
Watching this film can be an intense experience for viewers.
Shin-ae suffers more than any one person should ever have to suffer in life.
“Secret Sunshine” adds yet another film to the great Korean new wave that seems to be at the tail end of its success. With the revisions on the screen quota system, production dollars waning, and non-existent domestic DVD profits, the Korean film industry is definitely looking for another shot in the arm.
Veteran new wave directors like Lee must keep producing groundbreaking work if Korea is to compete with Hollywood at home and abroad.
“Secret Sunshine” is available on DVD.
 Add as favorites (27) | Views: 366
|
