South Korean productions are already a constant in the kind of cinema that stands out over the years, whether critically or commercially. Is a cinema already moderately established in the mainstream Even if he doesn’t always have the statistics of a successful blockbuster. They remain a special element but are no longer so strange in an increasingly global pop culture.
everything is the result great job done over the years, started with the extraordinary influence of many great filmmakers over time and is trying to continue that influence with continued production. Bong Joon-ho, Kim Ki-Duk, and Park Chan-wook opened the door to Western audiences in a big way and, although each has their own film that introduced them to this fascinating world, there is no other significant work for this phenomenon. Not compared to ‘Oldboy’.
seeking revenge with hammer blows
Chan-wook’s film was available on Amazon Prime Video as well as Filmin A complete sensation that confirmed something is brewing in the country which was noticeable. A different way of perceiving the art of cinema, already between some keys to the frivolity or melodrama typical of oriental cinema and the typical rhythm and aesthetics of the West. ‘Oldboy’ is a great example of how all the references collide to create something completely unique.
Loosely adapted from a manga of the same name, the film sits in the middle of the special spiritual retribution trilogy the ‘Decision to Leave’ director was eyeing at the time. In this a businessman is kidnapped and taken hostage Locked in a cell for no apparent reason for years, When he comes out, he will try to find the reason in the most violent way and try to recover his past life.
Thus begins a complex odyssey that will require a lot of mental effort on our part to avoid getting lost, but at the same time it is not a problem to get involved. The film gives us a chance to enter into the mystery which from the very beginning impresses and keeps us interested in it An electric tempo, an excellent visual work and restless editing Which never lets us get bored.
‘Oldboy’: Park Chan-wook’s great gem
It’s paradoxical that it’s so tempting to watch A film that never sacrifices its weirdness, disturbing with grotesque moments and images, or even resorting to blatantly violent action. Nor does it sacrifice a melodrama that maxes out on key points, driving our emotional responses to the story to the extreme. It’s not exactly a combination meant to work, but “Oldboy” never fails to feel organic.
Herein lies its great miracle. All their bold decisions are digestible, that’s what helps to introduce and establish the South Korean essence in the global ecosystem. There were already reasons to pay attention to the cinema that emerged from there, but Park Chan-wook and his cohorts had already made it necessary. There Have Been Other Great Moments In Park’s Career (Also For A Few Different Ones), But ‘Oldboy’ Is Still The Best an indelible gem that will be hard to match, Spike Lee didn’t even come close to recreating his magic (in fact, it turned out awful).
