Vancouver International Film Festival 2007

Review by Richard Toews.

In Whang Cheol-Mean’s Let’s Finish!!!, three characters - Joachim, the female and self appointed leader, and LA and Heballet, her male companions - have met on a suicide website and, presumably, made a suicide pact. They decide to take a journey, the end of which will mark the fulfillment of their agreement. For Joachim, LA, and Heballet, the journey becomes a metaphor about the meaninglessness of the unexamined life.

For the most part their journey is defined by chaos; it has neither a beginning nor an end; there is no connection between the characters, nor do the characters have definition to any degree. We have no idea why they have chosen the path they are on, and none of the characters form any type of bond. From the very beginning of the journey, Joachim’s status as leader falls apart and the void remains unfilled.

In Let’s Finish!!! the notion of suicide takes on a dynamic that would do Schopenhauer proud. “I don’t want a meaningless death,” says Joachim. For Joachim, a meaningful death by her choice defines the value she places on her life, and yet we discover, as does Joachim, that in the darkest place, the place of impending death, live hope and grace, which she transfers to the others — to love again, in whatever form it takes, is the gift of grace and hope.

Let's Finish!!!
Whang Cheoi-Mean | South Korea | 2006 | 100min

Wed. Oct. 3 | 7:00pm | Pacific Cinematheque
Thur. Oct. 4 | 11:00am | Pacific Cinematheque

Review by Kiefer Doerksen.

Dimmer is the debut film from South Korean director Kim Sam-Ryeok. It’s a mostly autobiographical look at the Korean independence movement and the making of low budget films. The story follows Sang-Ho, who is asked by a filmmaker friend to produce a short film. Sang-Ho has little interest in movies and has seen few but is quickly entranced by the process, soon trying to direct features himself. Sang-Ho, by his own account, is lacking in creative talent but continues trying to get his films made. This is a struggle as everyone in the industry frowns on his lack of experience and knowledge. One scene, poking fun at the pretentiousness of film students, features Sang-Ho being grilled on what his favorite Tarkovsky film is. He, of course, has no idea who Tarkovsky is. Sang-Ho’s father does not approve of his chosen profession and the cost of filmmaking constantly brings him close to poverty.

The movie is shot in Sony HD in black and white and looks beautiful, nearly identical to celluloid. The film suffers from some repetitiveness; we see Sang-Ho acting in despair over and over again, getting evicted and losing his cast and crew. While the film is generally light-hearted, it is, suprisingly, rarely funny. Dimmer is, however, an unflinching look into the independent film industry. It also delivers a thoughtful message: no matter what your talent is, you have to keep pushing for success.

The screening of Dimmer was preceded by two short films. The first, To Suicide is to Live, is a video performance piece where the artist covers himself in paint. When he apparently dies, the paint dissolves from his skin. The second film, Cloudy, Rainy, is a gorgeous cinematic poem about a girl’s affection for another girl. It is told through striking still photography with some computer enhancements. It is, however, the sound effects that really draw the viewer into this stunning piece of art.

Dimmer
Kim Sam-Ryeok | South Korea | 2007 | 85min

Tue. Oct. 2 | 9:30pm | VanCity Theatre
Wed. Oct. 3 | 3:45pm | VanCity Theatre

Review by Sunny Oh.

The Cannes Film Festival rightly awarded actress Jeon Do-Yeon for her nuanced portrayal of Lee Shin-Ae in Secret Sunshine. Shin-Ae, a recently widowed mother, moves away from her callous family for a fresh start in her husband’s hometown. However, tragedy strikes again and the audience watches as Shin-Ae falls in and out of despair. Director Lee Chang-Dong’s slow set-ups can be hard to watch. However, each scene ends on a biting, cohesive statement on the uncertain relationship between hope and religion (in the form of a local church group) and love (in the form of an auto repairman). Moreover, Song Kang-Ho’s comic performance as the earthy, amorous auto repairman provides a welcome counterpoint to the film’s dark and subtle story.

Secret Sunshine
Lee Chang-Dong | 2007 | 142min

Sat. Sept. 29 | 4:00pm | Empire Granville Theatre
Sun. Sept 29 | 9:30pm | Empire Granville Theatre
Mon. Oct. 1 | 4:00pm | Empire Granville Theatre