Journal of korean film bedevilled (2010)

“ Bedevilled” The film under consideration introduces a story about violence and vengeance that may fill the soul of a person according to some unpleasant circumstances. “ Bedevilled” is created by the Korean film maker Jang Chul-soo in 2010 (Cho, 138). It is relevant to admit that film experiences a huge recognition in the field of modern Korean cinema as has got a number of awards (Cho, 138). Also, “ Bedevilled” has been successfully accepted by Korean public as some details have been understandable particularly for this culture. The film represents a number of socially and emotionally hard themes that are highly relevant in present-day world. Cruelty of people, gendered violence, city and rural ways of being is remained to be the central problems that are involved into the film.
It is possible to highlight two basic figures in the film that develop a plot and action. These are considered to be women those names are Hae-won and Pong-nam (Cho, 139-140). They have different characters and different faiths, but they both are presupposed to cruelty to some extent.
The first one is represented as a cold lady with a severe and even brutal character. She works in a bank, lives in a big city, but is tired from all of this. She is used to behave impertinent and rude with all people around her. The moment that she becomes a witness of a crime and does nothing for the help of unfortunate woman proves the indifference and cruelty of her soul. Even when Hae-won’s old friend asks for the help she refuses despite the fact that she has been willing to provide it.
The second woman represents the images of victim and murderer. This woman lives in a rural landscape and suffers from sexploitation and other bullying from people around her. Moreover, that is considered to be her husband, brothers and old women. Her soul is full of pain and infliction. Still, the patience of Pong-nam comes to an end when she loses her daughter and gets a refusal to save her from this hell. Since this moment Pong-nam becomes a murder. The thirst for revenge seizes this woman and she starts to requite for all pain that has been inflicted to her.
In addition, it is relevant to admit the contrast between the settings that are represented in the film. The plot of “ Bedevilled” develops in a huge city Seoul and rural place Moodo. Through these images it is possible to parallel civilized society and uncivilized one. City is viewed as a place where people can earn a lot of money and live better, while countryside is represented as a terrible and awful place. Hae-won has been in search for a calmness and rest with a small shade of nostalgia, in return she finds herself in a dangerous place. Pong-nam hates her life and thoughts that her escape to the city can change everything for the better, but she does not know for the cruelty and severity that she may attain in the city. The film represents such contradictory visions of extremely different ways of life.
All in all, it is relevant to mention that “ Bedevilled” is a highly interesting film that explores serious and significant themes for the society in general and for Korean culture in particular. The images of cruelty, revenge and injustice is represented through the film and makes him interesting in the modern context.
Reference List:
Cho, Michelle. “ Beyond Vengeance: Landscapes of Violence in Jang Chul-soo’s Bedevilled”. Acta Koreana, Vol. 17, NO. 1. June 2014. Print.