When Past and Present Collide

Read Time:3 Minute, 52 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Mongrels
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Genre: Drama
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 51m
Director(s): Jerome Yoo
Writer(s): Jerome Yoo
Cast: Sein Jin, Jae-Hyun Kim, Da-Nu Nam, Candyce Weir, Jedd Sharp, Morgan Derera, Sangbum Kang
Language: English, Korean with English subtitles
Where To Watch: shown at the 2024 Vancouver International Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: In his directorial debut, Jerome Yoo brings the piercing silence of the Canadian wilderness to life in MONGRELS, a stirring narrative that traces the journey of a Korean family adapting to the vast, untamed openness of rural Canada. This film delves into their battle with lingering ghosts of their past and the looming uncertainties of their new environment, painting a tale of human resilience and cultural identity.

MONGRELS unfolds in the hauntingly beautiful landscapes of Canada during the early 90s. A widowed father, Sonny (Jae-Hyun Kim), grapples with raising his children and controlling the local wild dog population. These dogs not only pose a physical threat but also symbolize the pervasive grief that clouds the family, mirroring their internal and external battles.

The eldest son, Hajoon (Da-Nu Nam,) stands at the precipice of manhood, wrestling with the loss of his mother and his place between two cultures. His narrative is a heartfelt exploration of the immigrant experience, caught between the traditions of his Korean roots and the stark realities of his new Canadian life, highlighting the film’s overarching themes of survival and adaptation.

In contrast, Hana (Sein Jin,) the youngest, confronts her grief with a child’s imagination, conjuring visions of her mother’s return. Her whimsical daydreams provide a poignant counterbalance to the film’s more somber tones, offering a complex view of grief’s impact through the eyes of different family members.

MONGRELS is visually stunning, with the lonely Canadian outdoors as a backdrop and parallel to the ongoing story. These landscapes reflect the profound emotional isolation of the characters, their vastness mirroring the depth of the family’s inner turmoil.

The film weaves surreal elements into its narrative, such as Sonny’s conversations with his late wife. These sequences blur the boundaries between reality and the supernatural, beautifully illustrating the indelible impact of grief and the thin veil between the past and present.

Yoo’s experiences as a Korean-Canadian infuse the film with an authenticity that resonates in his portrayal of the immigrant journey. His background in acting and storytelling shines through in the nuanced, heartfelt performances he draws from his ensemble, enriching the film’s emotional landscape.

MONGRELS avoids simple answers, instead portraying the complex, often messy reality of confronting loss and upheaval. This narrative approach lends the film a gritty realism and connects deeply with the actual experiences of many immigrants.

Through extended takes and a minimalist editing style, Yoo invites the audience to immerse themselves deeply in the emotional lives of his characters. These lingering, quiet scenes, set against the natural chorus of the wilderness, draw the viewer deeper into the film’s visceral atmosphere.

While the film’s dreamlike moments are visually compelling, their frequency sometimes threatens to overshadow the characters’ emotional journeys. A more restrained use of these ethereal elements could have enhanced the impact of their arcs, though this is a slight detraction from an otherwise solidly crafted film.

MONGRELS is a profound meditation on survival, belonging, and the indomitable human spirit. Jerome Yoo’s debut is a lesson in blending the tangible with the ethereal, leaving a resonant impact that endures well beyond the viewing experience.

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[photo courtesy of MUSUBI ARTS]

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