StyleSk8r
At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.
Horst in Translation ([email protected])
"Paranmanjang" or "Night Fishing" is a South Korean half-hour film from 5 years ago. It was written and directed by Chan-kyong Park and Chan-wook Park and I guess the latter should at least be a known name to Asian cinephiles. as for this little movie here, I cannot see the appeal. There are some good moments, but it certainly is not enough to justify the mostly uninteresting story line, not even enough for a 30-minute film. I cannot say a whole lot about the acting. Sometimes it seemed appropriate, sometimes it seemed over the top. Admittedly, the film got better in the second half, but only because it was really bad and boring before that. It baffles me to see how this film could win such a prestigious award at the Berlin Film Festival. It is not a great achievement at all. Thumbs down.
akkoziol
OK, Park does it again. What does this guy put in his water? Seriously. From opening to close you get taken along on a ride in usual Park fashion only to have your sense of normal and what is what shattered into itty bitty pieces.This is a bit of a "spiritual" piece and is an interesting short if only clocking in at 30 minutes. If you're a fan of his other works, you'll probably like this. The subject matter couldn't have been made into a full length movie as it would have been boring as all get out but that fact that this was shot on an iPhone makes it a rather quirky film that gets bonus points from me.What's next Mr. Park, shooting on a PXL-2000?
K2nsl3r
Fans of Korean movies will know the director Park-Chan Wook's work already. Here he has teamed up with his brother, and an iPhone 4, to produce a magnificent 30 minutes of digital entertainment.Since the work itself is so short, a shorter review is in order. The plot revolves around a fisherman, but the thematic depth of this piece goes actually a lot deeper than you might initially imagine. It starts out funky and cool, turns into a brooding atmospheric piece, and ends with a completely harrowing, touching latter half that has no right being so good, considering that it has only taken us 20 minutes to get there.The musical and sound design of this piece is very appropriate, and the way the film is edited together is snarling, cryptic and impeccable.But the true heroes of this film are the actors (or, to be more precise, the actresses). They carry the film to unexpected authenticity. The last third of the film has more weight than a ton of bricks, and it reaches truly spiritual heights. But it is the totality of the film which is the miracle here: a strange beast indeed, full of beauty and heart, of laughter and tears, of music and silence.I understand such a glowing review might seem excessive or suspect, but this film is a minor masterpiece, which manages to convey more in 30 minutes than most films ever are able in 90. This quirky shorty has a ton of charm, variety and depth, spiced up with humour and spirituality, and should not be missed by anyone interested in the possibilities of (digital) film as an art form. Another tour-de-force from the master of Korean cinema.
