Tuesday, May 18, 2010

MOVIE #04: A TALE OF TWO SISTERS 2003 (KOREAN)


When it comes to recent makings of horror movies, my opinion is unshakeable – the Orientals make far better horror movies than the West. Mind you, I am not saying that Hollywood movies aren’t great….it’s just that I think Asians, with all our superstitious and whatnots, have come up with some really, really novel stories and ideas…a far cry from the ‘flying ghosts’ you used to see in Chinese movies of the 70’s and 80’s!

Take for example ‘The Ring’. It is undisputed that the Japanese version fares much better than the Naomi Watt movie. Then there are Chinese movies like ‘The Eye’, Thai movies such as ‘Nang Nak’ and ‘Shutter’ and Singapore with it’s offering of the ‘The Maid’ (I will post a blog on this soon). Then there is ‘A tale of two sisters’.

A Tale of Two Sisters is a 2003 South Korean psychological horror film. It is directed by Kim Ji-woon and is both the highest-grossing Korean horror film and the first to be screened in American theatres.

The film is inspired by a Joseon Dynasty folktale entitled "Janghwa Hongreyon-jon", which has been adapted to film several times.


You are intrigued from the start and because you know it is a horror movie, you are forever on your guard but the scary bits arrive when you least expect it. That for me adds to the appeal. You feel the love that the sisters’ share and you share their hatred for their step mother and anger towards their father. Horror aside, it actually is a really good movie and I recommend that you watch this….but if you are faint hearted, preferably with someone who is not easily ‘disturbed’ with supernatural themes. It is also a bit of a tear jerker, so have the hankies handy. And watch out for that closet!

Veen's rating: 4 stars
 

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