Paju (film)
Encyclopedia
A 2009 South Korean film, Paju (파주
) is the tale of a teenage schoolgirl (Seo Woo
) and her complex relation to her older sister’s husband (Lee Sun Gyun
). Set in the city where it takes its name from – a longtime military area and now a developing city located close to the North/South Korean border – its elegantly complex narrative deals with guilt, love and redemption. The result is both uniquely Korean and universally resonant.
after spending three years of soul-searching in India. However the reality she returns to is far from comforting as she is faced with a dreaded reunion with her widower brother-in-law, Joong-sik. Almost a decade ago when Joong-sik came to Paju
as a student activist fugitive, Eun-mo never took a liking to Joong-sik who ended up marrying her older sister, Eun-soo.
But she was forced to live with him when a tragic accident took her sister’s life. During the course of three years, Eun-mo gradually discovered she was carrying complex emotions toward Joong-sik. Feeling trapped, she decided to leave Paju
. Eun-mo believed she had resolved all emotional conflicts in India, but as she digs further into her sister’s death, she becomes torn between the truth and her feelings for Joong-sik.
2010 (39th) International Film Festival Rotterdam - January 27th-Feb. 7th - Opening Film
2010 (12th) Deauville Asian Film Festival - March 10th-14th - The Features Competition
2010 (5th) The London Korean Film Festival - November 5-23
"NETPAC Award" - 14th (2009) Pusan International Film Festival - October 8th-16th
"Jury Prize" - 2010 (12th) Deauville Asian Film Festival - March 10th-14th
Hangul
Hangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
) is the tale of a teenage schoolgirl (Seo Woo
Seo Woo
Seo Woo is a South Korean actress. After first drawing critical notice in the black comedy Crush and Blush, Seo Woo has since starred in in challenging arthouse films Paju and The Housemaid, while gaining popularity in the small screen through cult favorite Tamra the Island and melodrama Flames of...
) and her complex relation to her older sister’s husband (Lee Sun Gyun
Lee Sun Gyun
Lee Sun-gyun is a South Korean actor.- Career :Lee studied theater at the Korea National University of Arts...
). Set in the city where it takes its name from – a longtime military area and now a developing city located close to the North/South Korean border – its elegantly complex narrative deals with guilt, love and redemption. The result is both uniquely Korean and universally resonant.
Plot
Eun-mo is back in her hometown, PajuPaju
Paju is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Paju was made a city in 1997; it had previously been a county .The city is located just south of Panmunjeom on the 38th parallel. To defend the Korean capital, Seoul, many US and Korean army bases are set up in the city. In 2002, the northernmost...
after spending three years of soul-searching in India. However the reality she returns to is far from comforting as she is faced with a dreaded reunion with her widower brother-in-law, Joong-sik. Almost a decade ago when Joong-sik came to Paju
Paju
Paju is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Paju was made a city in 1997; it had previously been a county .The city is located just south of Panmunjeom on the 38th parallel. To defend the Korean capital, Seoul, many US and Korean army bases are set up in the city. In 2002, the northernmost...
as a student activist fugitive, Eun-mo never took a liking to Joong-sik who ended up marrying her older sister, Eun-soo.
But she was forced to live with him when a tragic accident took her sister’s life. During the course of three years, Eun-mo gradually discovered she was carrying complex emotions toward Joong-sik. Feeling trapped, she decided to leave Paju
Paju
Paju is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Paju was made a city in 1997; it had previously been a county .The city is located just south of Panmunjeom on the 38th parallel. To defend the Korean capital, Seoul, many US and Korean army bases are set up in the city. In 2002, the northernmost...
. Eun-mo believed she had resolved all emotional conflicts in India, but as she digs further into her sister’s death, she becomes torn between the truth and her feelings for Joong-sik.
Cast
- Lee Sun GyunLee Sun GyunLee Sun-gyun is a South Korean actor.- Career :Lee studied theater at the Korea National University of Arts...
... Kim Joong-sik - Seo WooSeo WooSeo Woo is a South Korean actress. After first drawing critical notice in the black comedy Crush and Blush, Seo Woo has since starred in in challenging arthouse films Paju and The Housemaid, while gaining popularity in the small screen through cult favorite Tamra the Island and melodrama Flames of...
... Choi Eun-mo - Shim Yi-Young ... Eun-su (Eun-mo's sister and Joong-sik's wife)
- Kim Bo-kyeong ... Jung Ja-yeong
- Kim Ye-Ri... Mi-ae (Eun-mo's friend)
- Lee Dae-Yeong ... Joong-Shik's cousin (pastor)
- Lee Kyeong-Yeong ... gangster boss
- Son Kang-Kuk ... gangster
- Lee Mi-Do
- Jeong Man-Sik ... anti-demolition member
- Oh Dae-Hwan ... insurance examiner
- Lee Bong-Kyu ... tenant on 1st floor
Film Festivals
2009 (14th) Pusan International Film Festival - October 8th-16th - New Currents (World Premiere)2010 (39th) International Film Festival Rotterdam - January 27th-Feb. 7th - Opening Film
2010 (12th) Deauville Asian Film Festival - March 10th-14th - The Features Competition
2010 (5th) The London Korean Film Festival - November 5-23
Awards
"APSA's NETPAC Development Prize" - the 4th annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA)"NETPAC Award" - 14th (2009) Pusan International Film Festival - October 8th-16th
"Jury Prize" - 2010 (12th) Deauville Asian Film Festival - March 10th-14th