Grief and Superstitions Challenge Perception of Reality

MOVIE REVIEW
Seire
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Genre: Drama, Horror
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 42m
Director(s): Park Kang
Writer(s): Park Kang
Cast: Seo Hyun-woo, Ryu Abel, Shim Eun-woo
Language: Korean with English subtitles
Where To Watch: premiering via VOD & digital on June 16, 2023

RAVING REVIEW: Prepare yourself as we dive into the depths of Korean folklore with Park Kang's debut cinematic feature, SEIRE. This isn't just another typical “ghost story”; the film examines this deep folk belief of what bad luck can mean to a family. We're embarking on a journey where the initial twenty-one days in a newborn's life are the heartbeat of the narrative and the core of the film's crux.

Introducing Woo-jin, brought to life with a nuanced performance by Seo Hyun-woo. Our protagonist navigates the tumultuous waters between traditional values and the demands of contemporary life. Imagine being in his shoes when an unexpected message sends his routine life into a topsy-turvy spiral. An old flame, Se-young, reappears from the past and leaves an indelible mark on his life. Despite the cautionary whispers of his superstitious wife, Hae-mi (Sim Eun-woo), he attends a funeral, unknowingly triggering a series of events that throw his newborn's life into a whirlwind of danger.

SEIRE is a unique examination of a world where reality is more illusion than fact. Kang Park's cinematic landscape encourages you to question every detail. Every scene makes you ask more about the story's entirety. The film goes beyond just a hauntingly mystical narrative; it spotlights the battle against the seemingly unbreakable shackles of societal norms. Watch as Woo-jin, weighed down by rituals he views as obsolete, stands in stark contrast to Hae-mi, who sees straying from these norms as an invitation to disaster. Their diverging beliefs form the backbone of the storyline, brewing an atmosphere of suspense and trepidation that surpasses any supernatural frights.

Despite this being his first film, Kang Park proves his flair for filmmaking. His work on SEIRE was honored with landing the New Currents award at the 2021 Busan Festival. From thought-evoking camera angles to an eerie yet beautiful musical score, every aspect of the movie collaborates to engulf you in a captivating experience that keeps you rooted to your seat.

Despite the unique and powerful plot, one can't help but wish for more depth to our leading characters. In this slow-burn film, you don’t get the connection you would want or expect from the leads. That may be intentional as they’re “faceless” in a way, almost stand in for anyone who doesn’t follow these guides.

But when SEIRE begins its balance between reality and illusion, that's where the magic happens. The film draws the audience into an eerie yet breathtaking dreamscape. While set in part in the supernatural genre, Kang Park's SEIRE also excels as a grief-stricken drama. As it weaves an intricate web of contemporary struggles entwined with age-old superstitions, it challenges your perception of reality. It makes you think and feel, and isn't that what cinema should do?

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[photo courtesy of FILM MOVEMENT]

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Chris Jones

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