Kim Ki-duk

[ie]

Kim Ki-duk




nonfiction (who has been busy with homework) really likes all of this director's work, except for the Coast Guard.


I noticed one of his movies, Bad Guy, was showing on the Sundance channel, and his recommendation combined with "noted for his meditative, philosophical films" sparked my interest enough to make this thread.

You probably haven't heard of most or any of his movies, even though if you have some interest in foreign movies, you've probably heard about Samaritan Girl in passing.

[PTAhole]

I've only seen 3-Iron, which I absolutely loved. I want to check out Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring soon.

[criterionmaster]

I have also been wanting to check out Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring, based on the cover and title alone.

[ie]

They're showing Bad Guy and Samaritan Girl on the Sundance channel, so hopefully by the end of the month I'll be able to share in the admiration for this director.

[mixed]

This guy is an amazing talent. The isle is probably in my top30. Is so incredibly beautiful, passionate, stomach churning and absorbing.

I also loved samaritan girl. Such a powerful and saddening film with a powerful message.

Then spring...summer is also excellent. Cinematography on a high and mighty scale, lessons learnt in love, life, appreciation. Great performances from the cast as well.

Ki Duk to me, has the film making style of kitano combined with park, but slower, if this is sensical.

[jumpingjackflash]

Watched my first real slice of Korean cinema the other day in the form of Address Unknown.

I thought it was an excellent film. My mate is always raving about the guy and Spring, Summer and 3 Iron so I finally took a chance on one of his films and it came off. Address Unknown is meant to be one of Kim's minor films, about the American occupation of Korea in the 70's and has an ensemble cast which really succeeds in showing a multi-faceted society and what it would have been like at that time.

It is one of the most depressing films I've seen in quite some time but also features some moments of (possibly unintentional) hilarity including the most comical death I believe I have ever seen involving a motorbike. It also has the worst acting since Camp Blood in the American soldiers who have obviously just been dragged from the street simply because they speak English. But you can't really criticize Kim for this, its not his language after all.

The real strength of the film was how Kim made you feel sympathy with all the characters, he has managed to give to film a balance where you shift between who you are backing. The film could be called anti-American but he even evokes sympathy for the American troops for getting no respect for what is a difficult job (parallels with Iraq).

All in all, great work by Kim. I'm gonna order Samaritan Girl and start to familiarize myself with an interesting director.

[captainofbeef]

I have seen both Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring and 3-Iron. Both are excellent with SSFWS being the better film. I rented Address Unknown as well, I look forward to watching it.

[criterionmaster]

Someone I am really looking forward to seeing some stuff from. When I saw SSFW...S's title at Borders I was like, "what a pretentious title, but I am very intrigued." It looks like a really great film; I will throw some of this man’s films on my queue now. So basically the same thoughts I had before, but now I am wondering what film I should see first, would it be best to see SSFW...S first?

[PTAhole]

I loved both movies, but I liked 3-Iron more. Doesn't really matter, both are excellent.

[captainofbeef]

See 3-Iron first, it is a better intro to Ki-Duk's style. Then move to SSFW...S

[captainofbeef]

Just watched Address Unknown and I was not too fond of it. Misery for the sake of misery and stereotypical portrayal of Americans. Not Ki-Duk's best effort.

[mixed]

You guys, watch the isle (seom) its so wonderful

[captainofbeef]

I am going to check for it on my next trip to Blockbuster

[ie]

Oh yeah, I saw about half of Bad Guy but wasn't very impressed. I'm still going to finish it eventually, don't worry, but it just wasn't executed as well as I thought it would be.

[wkw]

3-Iron is wonderful. It could easily be a silent film.