| CHUNHYANG Director Im Kwon-Taek "I think pansori is the best form of traditional Korean art. In my childhood, I could hear pansori everywhere. However, as Western music and Western educational systems were introduced in Korea, we have been neglecting our own music. I think that we, as Koreans, need to better understand our own music and culture." Im Kwon-Taek from indiewire. Chunhyang is the best of of the recent spate of Korean films to be rerleased in theis country because it is a great story -- based on Korea’s most distinguished folk tale -- and offers stunning cinematography, wonderful costume designs and great performances. Directed by Korea’s legendary director Im Kwon Taek (his 97th film!) the film is about a young nobleman in the 13th Century named Mongryong (Cho Seung Woo) who falls in love with a young lower class woman named Chunhyang (Yi Hyo Jeong). They secretly marry and spend a few nights of fiery passion and romance together. But the honeymoon is short lived because Mongryong is sent off alone to study at a prestigious school. Mongryong dares not tell anyone he is married because it could hinder his chances to succeed in school and move up in society. But he vows to Chunhyang that he will return some day soon and defy the cultural formalities, which divide his class from hers. Meanwhile, while Chunhyang waits, a newly appointed local governor forces her to be a part of his brothel. Due to the fact that she is loyally married she refuses but -- because it would be inappropriate -- she won’t say to whom; so in a few brutal scenes, she is beaten and sent to prison. Once this stage is set the rest of the film deals with Mongryong rising in the ranks of his school and coming back in a disguise to attempt and rescue her. It’s not hard to guess what happens but it is carried out with such spectacle and skill that it’s easy to get swept away in the story. Most unique to the film is the use of a traditional Korean narrative devise called ‘Pansori’, which involves two men on stage; one bellowing out the story to an audience while the other one provides a background beat with a drum. Director Im uses the technique fairly successfully by cross cutting between his own direction of the film and that of the two men on stage captivating the crowd. Chunhyang has a very direct, timelessly romantic story line but is unique in many respects most notably the film’s narrative structure, the 13th Century historical references and the setting. Yet no viewer will feel left out because – besides the eye-popping art direction, the glorious costumes and color cinematography – the whole film is appealingly universal. -Matt Langdon |
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