This blog post examines how House of Himiko delicately reveals life and death, family and prejudice, and the possibility of reconciliation through the space of a gay nursing home, focusing on scenes and symbols. Around the time I was discovering and becoming engrossed in Japanese dramas, “House of Himiko” was the catalyst that drew me into the charm of Japanese cinema as well. While...
How far has the boundary between fiction and documentary been blurred in Wim Wenders’ films?
This blog post examines how the boundary between fiction and documentary has been blurred in Wim Wenders’ films, focusing on his perspective and the spirit of the times. It questions the possibilities of cinema by exploring both the tradition of New German Cinema and his documentary work. When discussing the relationship between fiction and documentary, the films of the New German...
Why does “Paradise Murdered” present brutal murders alongside humor?
This blog post examines why the film “Paradise Murdered” presents brutal murders alongside humor, focusing on the conventions and narrative strategies of the hybrid genre blending thriller, horror, and comedy. Genre Definition The genre of “Paradise Murdered” is thriller. More precisely, it centers on the splatter film subgenre of thriller, infused with elements of horror. It also...
Why Did ‘The Brothers Grimm’ Fail to Create Fantasy Adventure Tension?
This blog post examines why ‘The Brothers Grimm’, despite its typical fantasy adventure exterior, failed to generate fear and tension, focusing on narrative devices and character composition. Introduction In 2001, the immense popularity of Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, which successively delivered highly polished fantasy films, led moviegoers to recognize that the fantasy genre...
How does Pedro Almodóvar’s ‘Talk to Her’ depict loneliness and communication?
This blog post examines how melodrama cinematically portrays loneliness, silence, and the possibility of communication through Pedro Almodóvar’s ‘Talk to Her’. On Melodrama Among many film genres, I have a particular fondness for melodrama. When I’m sad or lonely, I can project myself onto the protagonist and cry freely. When I want to break through a stifling feeling, I find...
How does Howards End reconstruct the ‘Only connect’ ethic of the novel into cinematic language?
This blog post examines how Howards End visually reconstructs the ‘Only connect’ ethic of the original novel through mise-en-scène and character placement. About the Author ― Progressive Liberal Writer E. M. Forster E. M. Forster was born in London and participated in liberal groups at Cambridge University during his studies. Rebelling against Victorian morality and values, he became...
How Does ‘The Host’ Expose the Violence of Korean Bureaucracy Through the Language of Noir?
This blog post interprets the film ‘The Host’ from a noir perspective, analyzing the mechanisms of structural violence and social indifference revealed by Korean bureaucracy. Introduction The film ‘The Host’ is commonly known as a work that surpassed 13 million viewers, a Korean film that enjoyed a long-running theatrical release in the US, or the highest-grossing film of all time. But how...
Did the adaptation of ‘The Hours’ expand or alter the original work?
This blog post compares how the adaptation of ‘The Hours’ expanded and transformed the original work’s themes into a cinematic form without compromising its essence. Why I Love ‘The Hours’ For people my age, the film ‘The Hours’ is somewhat unfamiliar. I first saw it during my senior year of high school. Having repeatedly encountered Nicole Kidman’s radical transformation and...
How did ‘The Host’ usher in the “10 Million Audience Era” of Korean cinema?
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at how Bong Joon-ho’s The Host ushered in the “10 million audience era” of Korean cinema and how it changed the perception of the kaiju genre. What ‘The Host’ left behind for Korean cinema The record 13.097 million people. This is the final number of moviegoers mobilized by The Host. It became the highest-grossing Korean film of all time...
Why do violence and capitalism recur in Korean noir films?
In this blog post, we examine the recurring invocation of violence and capitalism in Korean noir films, and summarize how genre traditions and social realities have intertwined to form a unique narrative. Noir, good vs. evil The blurring of who is good and who is evil is the most defining characteristic of noir films. The genre isn’t just about depicting crime and violence...