Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring is definitely one of the most stunning films that I have ever seen. It grabs your heart right from the beginning and refuses to let go. The star of the film is of course the beautiful Mt. Juwangsan National Park where it was filmed. The film is set on a tiny monastery which floats in the Jusanji reservoir. An elderly monk with seemingly mystic powers (they are subtle so watch closely) raises a young boy as his apprentice. In the opening scenes we are introduced to the jaw droppingly beatiful monastery and its natural surroundings. They live a simple life together according to the seasons and the Master does his best to teach his young apprentice well. Despite this however, the apprentice even as a young child seems to be predisposed to violent outbursts. Eventually a beautiful young woman comes to the monastery to convalesce and she and the apprentice fall in love. The apprentice can't live without her and follows her to 'the world of men' where he disobeys the most basic teachings of his wise and patient master. This is a sad film but it is also brimming with hope and this is expressed by the season of Spring. The themes of love, lust, murder, death, rebirth and redemption are strong throughout the film and these are in turn reflected in the changing seasons.
Starring, O yeong-su, Kim Ki-duk, Kim Young-min and Seo Jae-Kyeong. Directed by Kim Ki-duk.
Please visit the Toronto Korean Film Festival website for info on upcoming screenings.
No comments:
Post a Comment