AFI FEST

by Ari

Time - Kim Ki Duk
 
A new film by the brilliant Korean director Kim Ki Duk is always something to look forward to. A lesser work by this talented filmmaker is seldom seen, while a poor, unsuccessful effort has yet to occur in his filmography. Ki Duk has been releasing effortless work since his 2004 masterpiece, Spring Summer Fall Winter and Spring. He demonstrates a natural ease for compelling storytelling, placing him at the top of the Korean new-wave filmmakers. Most impressive about Ki Duk is the fact that he puts out one or two pictures a year, none of which present a lack of focus and precision. To have a director this talented be this prolific - it’s a gift to film-lovers worldwide.

His newest film, Time, is perhaps his most accessible film, while still representing everything that makes his work so special. This is Ki Duk’s most briskly paced and entertaining feature - a perfect introduction for audiences unfamiliar with his work - and a classic representation of his sensibilities for those who have been following and appreciating his career. Time is a romantic thriller - a genre Ki Duk loves to experiment with. He’s written some extremely bizarre love stories since his excellent thriller, The Isle, with Time being the most effective since. Compared to some of his other movies, Time could almost be considered mainstream. It’s certainly not as extreme as a few of his other thrillers, nor as original as some of his more personal dramas. Time dwells somewhere in-between the two sides of his career, mixing unnerving thematic content with intimate drama.

Like his other romantic films, Time focuses almost exclusively on the two main characters, spending little time with the supporting players. Ki Duk concentrates the story on their relationship, developing realistic characters for the audience to invest in. At its heart, Time is a love-story, and one of his most powerful yet. That being said, this is not an easy film in any way. Ki Duk’s love stories are usually very bizarre and twisted, which is certainly the case with this film, a dark and disturbing nightmare about obsession and love. Time is uncomfortably tense at moments, especially as the story and characters fall deeper and deeper into emotional chaos and pain. This picture is like a new twist on Sleuth, with its two main characters toying with each other in cruel and unusual ways. However, even with its upsetting content, Ki Duk manages to convey tenderness and genuine romance, complicating matters for the characters and for the nervous audience watching them.

Ji-Woo and Seh-Hee have been a couple for two years, and things between them seem to be getting less and less exciting. Seh-Hee fears that her boyfriend is growing tired of her face and body, dreaming of other women and looking to end the relationship. She becomes paranoid to the point of aggression when she sees him briefly converse with other women. On an evening following a huge fight in a cafe, she tells him to think of another woman while they make love. He listens and agrees, which only makes the situation more aggravating for them afterwards. Seh-Hee is convinced that he’s tired of her appearance. Her response to this dilemma is quite extreme. She leaves him, her apartment, and her job unexpectedly, vanishing for half a year without saying a word. She disappears for such a long time because it’s necessary for what she’s done. Seh-Hee gets plastic surgery, completely reconstructing her already pretty face.

Meanwhile, Ji-Woo tries to move on with his life, searching for new female company to end his pain and loneliness. Seh-Hee eventually returns, stalking and toying with him as he attempts to meet new women. When she’s ready, Seh-Hee reintroduces herself as a new person, seducing him and starting a new relationship. Ji-Woo is clueless about her real identity, but as time progresses and strange things occur, the truth is painfully revealed. Now, that’s only about half of the movie, since the final portion of the story is something that deserves to been seen fresh. Ki Duk takes this love story to a powerful and unexpected place, leaving the viewer in a state of complete surprise and shock. There were collective gasps from the audience I saw this with, an example of Ki Duk’s command of suspense and drama. It’s impossible to not be absorbed by the direction and performances. Time is a potent commentary on our obsession with appearance and beauty, a peculiar, yet fascinating look at romance and love, and an absolutely riveting and provoking thriller.

If Time hits a theater near you, do not miss it.