Director: Kim Jee-Woon
Screenplay: Kim Jee-Woon
Starring: Lim Su-Jeong, Yum Jung-Ah, Kim Kap-Su, Moon Geun-Young
Year: 2003
Language: Korean
UK rental release: November 2004
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Part four of my horror season takes us further overseas to Asia, where some of the most prevalent and ground breaking horrors of the last 15 years have surfaced from. And, as I'm a fan of Korean cinema, and would like to avoid the more obvious choices, like Ringu or Ju-On (The Grudge) I think that it's fitting to unearth something unique for you. This is filmbore after all!
So, this week I have selected A Tale Of Two Sisters. Based on a Korean folk tale, it's Asian horror but not as you've seen it.
Beginning our tale in a mental institute, we're introduced to Su-Mi (Lim Su-Jeong, I'm A Cyborg..., All About My Wife). She sits there in silence, unable to answer her doctors questions of the events that happened on a specific day.
The mystery stays locked up for now, as Su-Mi and her equally ill sister, Su-Yeon (Moon Geun-Young, Korean TV star inc. Autumn Tale) are taken back to their family home following the death of their mother and their mutual spell in a mental hospital. Though related, they're very different to each other - Su-Mi is forward and confident, while Su-Yeon is quirky and aloof. Despite these differences, they're inseparable.
They're to be looked after by their father, Mu-Hyun (Kim Kap-Su, another Korean TV and stage star), who is clearly having to handle the loss in the family in his own way. He's worried that his daughters will get sick again and have to return to the institute. Yet, he doesn't have to parent the girls alone though due to the presence of Eun-Ju (Yum Jung-Ah, Tell Me Something, Lovely Rivals), their step mother. Strong-willed and opinionated, she is trying her best to make an effort, in her own special way - but the sisters are unsure of her. Su-Mi in particular has issue with her, initially disagreeing on how things are done around the house - chores, clothes storage, etc.
Even with this divide brewing, the two sisters remain very close going nearly everywhere together. Eun-Ju is lonely in contrast to the strong companionship between the two girls, which could be drawing more disdain between them. This is worsened when Su-Mi suspects that her step mother is twisted, infecting the family from much earlier in their lives purely with her presence and trying to take over the role her real mum left behind. She also believes that she is abusing Su-Yeon too, harming her physically and locking her in the bedroom closet to punish and torture her.
Only Ma-Hyun seems to see past what the rest of the family are experiencing.
Kim Jee-Woon is better known for his more recent pictures, hitting the comically dark in I Saw The Devil and bringing "The Great Oak" back to our screens in the action romp The Last Stand, but it's his delicious work on this film that I feel he will always garner the most respect for.
One key element to this view is down to how A Tale Of Two Sisters has been filmed. It's elegantly framed, with art-house style captures of symmetrical close ups and stark medium shots. In the first few minutes of this movie you'll realise that it isn't your standard horror. It also looks fantastic on Blu-ray, if you have access to the medium. It's not shot in HD, of course, plus it hasn't gone through an extensive hi-def treatment either unfortunately. But, even without the expected level of clarity and sharpness that you expect with Blu-Ray the film is so visually pleasing and vibrant enough that it stands up well in this format. It's just a shame that advantage wasn't taken of HD treating to expand on the look of this film.
Those with surround sound will get plenty out of this too, with some creepy effects in parts and some smart sound placement for all you techno-geeks out there. In fact, the sound treatment on this Blu-Ray is where the technology really emphasises the original design - it truly shines on this version.
Most noticeably though, on any format the audible queen of this phonic pack of cards is the music. It's sensationally beautiful score, using classical riffs, which juxtaposes against the horror background. It's used to great effect in allowing the right emotions to surface at poignant moments in the tale. The main theme, which is stunning piece, is played at points throughout the film at different tempos, creating different moods accordingly.
This really helps in some of the more atmospheric scenes, where we see the burning tension hype up a notch each time. Kim Jee-Woon handles these slow pressured build ups deftly, while combining them with sudden startles that will make you jump out of your skin. There are some genuinely terrifying moments throughout this picture, and you easily get drawn into each character's personal neuroses, experiencing the shocks with them.
These are such, rich characters too: the step mother. neurotic and head strong - extremely reactive; the father, perplexed and ponderous - a calming element in the torment; Su-Yeon, the quieter sister, scared and timid; Su-Mi, rebellious and strong willed - the heart of the story. With exquisite performances all round, these personas are realised with such delicate form thanks to the stunning execution of the small but perfectly chosen cast.
I have to take a moment to highlight one performer in particular, and that is Lim Su-Jeong. For those of you who have followed filmbore for some time may remember me hyping up another film that she leads, Park Chan-Wook's I'm A Cyborg, But That's Okay (read the review here). Well, like in that film where she was exceedingly strong, so is she here as the movie's central pinion; a fulcrum to the spectrum of characters she is connected with. She has an incredible range, showing that she is clearly one of Korea's finest young actors, and Su-Mi's personal adventure is infused by her talent.
Yet, I feel that the tale really highlights the journey of the step mum Eun-Ju as much as it is the two girls, and the simmering turbulence brought on by their tumultuous relationship. Yum Jung-Ah's electrifying portrayal of this fiendishly deep character really plays off Lim Su-Jeong's angle, creating an internal battle driving the under surface of the gradually evolving plot.
What a story too. It's a "second watcher", if you know what I mean. Carrying some emotional reveals, there's a lot that may ring true with some viewers. Pleasingly, there is enough in this tale to take you round a few corners. So, even if you think you're on it, you'll still be surprised.
The finale is patiently and tenderly played out too, considering the heftiness of the unravelling dark tale, and it's extremely moving. Actually, if you don't shed a single tear by the end of this picture then you are either an android or haven't fully bought into it story - and shame on you if that's true!
A Tale Of Two Sisters is one of the finest pictures to come out of modern Asian cinema. When I first watched it on it initial rental release it commenced my love affair with Korean films. And, watching it again this week has emphasised my existing passion for the country's creative output. If you're unfamiliar with Korean cinema then A Tale Of Two Sisters is a good window to begin climbing through, and could lead you to more interesting pictures inside!
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Alternatively, you could contact me directly about this film or my other reviews on pickoftheweek@filmbore.co.uk
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