VIFF 2009 | Mother at Schema : more than ethnic

VIFF 2009 | Mother

Mother
South Korea, 2009, 128min
DIR: Bong Joon-ho

South Korean director Bong Joon-ho's fourth feature film Mother captures the director's unique portrayal of human relationships, a distinct characteristic of his films that audiences are slowly coming to expect.

Hye-ja is known as the modest ginseng merchant in her small South Korean town. She is also known as the overprotective mother of Do-joon, a developmentally delayed 27-year-old boy. Feeling suffocated by his mother, Do-joon repeatedly gets himself trouble. His antics and illness take their toll on his mother, who, in addition to selling ginseng, works illegally as an acupuncturist to keep the family afloat. Nonetheless the two are desperately dependant on one another in a way that introduces Oedipal overtones. When Do-joon is accused of murdering a local girl, however, Hye-ja's unconditional dedication is truly tested.

Willing to go to unthinkable lengths to clear her son's name, Hye-ja's character echoes the paternal pathos seen in The Host and the struggles of human complexes from Tokyo! The film is also not without what is becoming director Bong Joon-ho's signature critique of political manipulation and governmental disregard of those outside the norm.

Mother is a masterful work, straddling the line between mystery thriller and expressive drama. It delves deep into the realm of dark, incestuous complexities, portraying familial relationships as endearing and disturbing, hilarious and sad.

Upcoming Screenings:

Mon. Oct. 12, 1:20pm, Empire Granville