Breath (2007)
Breath (2007) 7/10
Breath is vintage Kim Ki Duk. Less violence, and much tamer than his usual offerings, but it bears the classic Kim Ki Duk trademarks. A silent protagonist, existentialism and themes of suicide take center stage. Much of the film enforce a claustrophobic feeling, but there is enough color and even hope that the film does not feel dreary. I have no idea what this film is about. It might be about nothing, really. But it is full of enough symbolism that you could really interpret it in what way you can. In Breath, two strangers meet and connect in what is one of the most mind-warpingly unconventional romance prison stories ever. The performances are great, and Kim is an assured director. But whether you will enjoy it is debatable. Still i found it mesmerizing it its own, meditative way. In a sense Breath is more similar to Kim Ki Duk’s contemplative films like 3 Iron and its use of silence and sparse dialogs is unparalleled. Very, very few directors can make a full film which consists of so few lines of dialog but Kim Ki Duk is a master in that respect.
It is a truly arthouse flick that will alienate most viewers but will once again intrigue fans of Kim Ki Duk. Slow, meandering yet strangely fascinating. I can’t exactly call Breath a success, but it was interesting in a Kim Ki Duk kind of way. It is probably only a film that arthouse movie buffs can appreciate. And just to show how weird it is, check out the trailer which incidentally seems to be shot in one long take.
Nice review. We love Kim too.
Comment by 1minutefilmreview — April 19, 2008 @ 2:22 am
well, Kim is an acquired taste. not easy to watch, but Kim’s film will reward those with patience. Still, good to know that you appreciate Kim too.
Comment by nevinyrral — April 21, 2008 @ 12:07 am