DOUBLE FILM REVIEW: THIRST

Hello everyone! With Mitchell and I both being fans of Park Chan-wook, we couldn't help but do a double review for his latest film, Thirst. As always, let us know what you think!

First up will be Mitchell's review:

Thirst (Bakjwi)

Released: 2009

Written and directed by: Park Chan-wook

Starring: Song Kang-ho, Kim Ok-vin, Shin Ha-kyun, Kim Hae-sook

By Mitchell Tully

Short Review:

Thirst is the latest film by the incredible director Park Chan-wook, and he does not disappoint. Park’s film is like all his others, vastly unique and possessing a wickedly twisted sense of humor. While my only problem with the film was some of the editing within the first 30 minutes, I feel that it is only a minor complaint; when you get over the slight jump forward in the story there is a lot to enjoy in this film. It is a must see for any Park Chan-wook fan and those that enjoy an excellent horror film with its own brand of humor.

Full Review:

The film centers on Father Sang-hyeon (Kang-ho Song), a man of the cloth that sets out to try to help those suffering from a terrible condition known as Emmanuel Virus (EV) by allowing him to be used as a test subject for possible cures. The condition consists of boils covering the persons’ body, as well as large amounts of blood escaping from the patients’ mouth. Out of the fifty test subjects, only Father Sang-hyeon survives the process, and as a result the local towns people believe that he possesses the ability to cure other people's ailments  -  they're constantly seeking him out, asking for help. Sang-hyeon’s recovery is also marked with an increase in his senses, mainly his sense of smell and hearing, as well as an improved physical condition, but his good health is short lived when he notices a few boils appearing on his face and a strong desire to consume human blood, his life changes possibly for the worst.

Park’s film's are never a simple addition to any genre, they always possess an investigation into the human psyche as well as containing commentary on a society that he feels is not fully understood. Thirst follows his trend of transcending simple genres with his latest film by incorporating theological discussion on what makes a person truly human, how does religion affect a persons’ life and exploring the consequences of our actions in the world and it’s inhabitants, and whether suicide or euthanasia are morally correct.

One of my major criticisms of vampire films is the depiction of vampire characteristics.  Usually they are automatically stronger, faster etc, instead of showing the character discovering their new abilities or even a slow progression to their maximum potential. But here we are allowed to follow Sang-hyeon’s journey of fully understanding his new abilities and their limitations. While Sang-hyeon learned about his new abilities, he also discovers more about himself and what he is capable of as a human being, and discovers that he is capable of despicable acts, but yearns to hold onto his past humanity.

While Thirst follows the pre-established abilities given to vampires, such as increased hearing, strength, agility and weakness to sunlight it is the method that Park highlights these abilities that truly make this film amazing. Whenever a character used violence to obtain their goals it was always quite shocking because Park does not pull his punches  -  if a character gets their arm broken, you will feel it and you will see bone. But the best aspect of this films’ violence is that it possesses a real sense of humor that almost makes the audience forget that they are watching a horror film.  That is, until they see a character die a truly gruesome death.

I found I made a mistake going into this film expecting to see a follow up to Park Chan-Wook’s Vengeance trilogy because the film is distinctly unique to all his previous films, but this did not take away from my enjoyment of it.  Thirst still possessed the same dark sense of humor, sexuality and in your face violence that his fans have all come to love. While I did really enjoy this film I feel one of my problems with Thirst was that its editing could have been a little bit smoother, sometimes it felt like a character was jumping forward in the story without explanation. Overall, I felt the film was a positive installment in the Park Chan-Wook collection and I am apsoposilutely looking forward to seeing this film again in the future.

SHARP OBJEX Rating: 3 out of 4

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Now here's my review:

Thirst (Bakjwi)

By: Erika Szabo

There’s been a lot of talk about Park Chan-wook’s latest film, not only because of his moviemaking history (how could you forget the landmark Vengeance trilogy?), but also because the film in mind is following in the path of Let the Right One In and, dare I say, Twilight. That’s right, vampires.  However, don’t be quick to judge this film for its content alone.  Just as Let the Right One In revolutionized the genre, as will, even if to a lesser extent, Park’s Thirst.

Song Kang-ho (most recognizable from his memorable starring role in The Host) plays Sang Hyun, a priest who volunteers to undergo an experiment in Africa to find a cure for a deadly virus.  He survives, but becomes a vampire through an unknown blood transfusion. Unlike conventional vampires who only crave blood, Sang Hyun discovers that he thirsts after all sinful pleasures. He finds himself justifying his way of obtaining blood supplies, and covets his childhood classmate, Tae-ju (Kim Ok-vin). Although the vampire/horror genre has been overdone, with few exceptions to the rule, Thirst is another film that succeeds in leaving an imprint on viewers.

Here, Park takes his famed eroticization of violence, pain and cruelty and dabbles in deliciously sadistic humor. Layered with satire on religious and social hypocrisy, Sang Hyun’s conflict between repression and impulse constitutes the film’s most amusing and penetrating moments. At the same time, Tae-ju keeps her continuous personality transformations in stride, even when she finally becomes a dehumanized hunter driven only by instinct. Park manages to depict his signature humor in this film, making for an interesting experience throughout. More often than not, audiences will be laughing than feeling any kind of fear or even sympathy for its characters.

With that said, the film is incredibly extroverted. By dabbling in stylistic whites, blacks and reds, Park creates something that is as much a piece of art as it is a feature film. While still unlike lifeless art-house films like Pistol Opera, Thirst doesn’t delve into character development half as much as he did in his past works. Park has always had a unique way of depicting character development, but with Thirst, he seems to have opted for visual style.

Even so, Sang Hyun and Tae-ju are still compelling in their own ways. Sang Hyun is more often than not the morale compass of the story, conflicted by his beliefs and desires. On the opposite side of the spectrum is the mild-mannered Tae-ju who grows into a power hungry character later into the film. She is, without a doubt, the more interesting of the two because of her spontaneity; however, Sang Hyun’s quirky humor and well-meaning attitude do pull through in the end.

Conflict and spontaneity take complete control over the story early on making for a film that is as unpredictable as ever. While at times Thirst can be full of drama, it slowly begins to creep towards melodrama, and then on to comedy. Park obviously meant for this film to be a satire.

So, while Thirst is not mind-blowing for its genre, it cleverly experiments with the horror/vampire idea. With his penchant for confrontational cinema, Park successfully attacks the material, making for an interesting, even if not well thought out story. Considering all of the unsavory vampire films coming out, this is one of the few that deserves to be watched, if not in theatres, on dvd.

SHARP OBJEX Rating: 3 out of 4 

Thirst Trailer

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