UID:
kobvindex_ZLB34713752
Format:
1 DVD-Video (ca. 115 min + Bonus)
,
16:9 ; 2.35:1
Edition:
Koreanische Kinofassung
Content:
Seonu, a cool-headed and clever gangster, is standing in the sky lounge of a Seoul hotel. He never asks "Why?" when given orders by his boss, a man named Gang, and he has thus won Gang's absolute trust. It took him seven years to be in such a position. Boss Gang ruthlessly punishes anyone who violates his rules. Gang also has a secret lover named Huisu. Doubting Huisu's fidelity, the boss orders Seonu to keep an eye on her for three days and to take care of Huisu's lover if she has one. While watching over her, Seonu develops an affection for her that he never expected to have. Seonu finds Huisu and her lover together, but he doesn't do as he was ordered, believing that it's the best thing for all involved. Seonu lies to the boss but the boss already knows everything and decides to get rid of Seonu. Now, Seonu wages war against the whole gang... From SEOUL magazine: The opening of ̮Bittersweet LifeŁ focuses on Seon-u̷s atypical character, and Lee Byeong-heon fans will not be disappointed as the handsome actor turns in an impressive performance as a silent, brooding gangster who asks no questions and bears the brunt of perfectionism in his flawless obedience to Boss Kang. Boss Kang, on the other hand, is prone to violence and fits of vengeance, a profile of merciless brutality. The tough elder, however, carries a dark secret that he has not told anyone, until he takes Seon-u into his confidence. Kang has a young woman lover Hi-su (Shin Min-a), but suspects she is carrying out a love affair. The jealous Kang gives Seon-u orders to murder both Hi-su and her lover if they are seen together. Seon-u follows the young woman relentlessly for three days, and in the course of duty falls in love with her. At the decisive moment when Seon-u catches Hi-su with her lover, our protagonist retracts his mission and frees the frightened couple, a noble but fatal act of insubordination that brings about heavy and violent consequences. ̮The Bittersweet LifeŁ is a high profile action movie furnished with not only outstanding cinematography but also an engrossing plot that sweeps the viewer away into the life and culture of a seedy, urban underworld populated with criminal bosses and ruthless lackeys. Both the acting and the action are convincing and laudable in its realism, and the diverse range of characters Seon-u encounters along the way promises the viewer both an entertaining and artistic vision of the world of Korean organized crime, a truly bittersweet microcosm where heroes identify with a longing for death even as they retain a hunger for life. "The Bittersweet Life" was selected for viewing at the 58th Cannes Film Festival, and ranked 9th at the box office in neighboring Japan. (Seoul Selection)
Note:
Orig.: Republik Korea, 2005
,
Untertitel: deutsch
Language:
German
Keywords:
Film
;
Interview
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