Texture of Skin
DIR Lee Sung-Gang | S. Korea | 2005 | 100 min.
In Korean with English Subtitles.
SHOWTIMES:
Sat, Oct 1, 7:00pm, GR2
Sun, Oct 2, 12:30pm, PCP
Dragons & Tigers Award Nominee
Reviewed by Gloria Wong
A tabloid photo-journalist named Min-Woo and his now-married ex-girlfriend Jae-Hee meet by chance (?) on the street. They go for tea and she promises to sleep with the man exactly 9 more times. So begins the psycho-sexual tensions in this live-action debut from acclaimed Korean animator Lee Sung-Gang. Over the course of the film’s elliptical timeline, dreams of a young girl’s life, a ghostly presence, a hit and run accident, another extra-marital affair and a transsexual all figure into Min-Woo’s life in strange and unexpected ways.
As might be expected from such a talented animator, Texture of Skin is beautifully photographed, filled with striking compositions and a master’s use of shadow and natural light. What’s unexpected is the intimacy between the characters. The sex scenes between Min-Woo and Jae-Hee are hot but also whisper-quiet, capturing the sadness of a one-sided love affair and the pain of having to keep secrets from everyone – including the person you love.