2003 ‘장화, 홍련’ Directed by Kim Jee-woon
A recently released patient from a mental institution returns home with her sister, only to face disturbing events between her stepmother and the ghosts haunting their house- all of which are connected to a dark past in the family's history.
Janghwa, Hongryeon, Deux Sœurs, Két nővér, Dos hermanas, A Tale Of Two Sisters, Zwei Schwestern, Los poseidos
Horror, the undead and monster classics Intense violence and sexual transgression scary, horror, creepy, supernatural or frighten horror, creepy, eerie, blood or gothic horror, gory, scary, killing or gruesome horror, creepy, frighten, eerie or chilling thriller, psychological, suspense, twist or disturbing Show All…
This has been in my queue for years. I thought I would adore this film because it is one of the most hyped films of the Korean New Wave and Kim Jee-woon is great but I think I messed up and saw this film 15 years too late. The style is definitely of its time. I can see the influence this film had on the last decade and a half of this genre -- especially the Blumhouse films like Insidious, Sinister, Conjuring, etc. So I wasn't swept away because I'm so used to the style now. Damn it.
Watched on Kanopy.
Btw, Kanopy is an amazing streaming platform that is free with a public library card. They have a great selection of films... perhaps the best in terms of diversity - classic, foreign, indie and new releasees. Kanopy is one of two platforms streaming this film - the other is Shudder.
Part of Hoop-Tober
“I’ll always be with you.”
In close-up, a man washes his hands carefully and repeatedly. His hands do not appear dirty. He has not, so far as we can tell, just used the toilet, nor is he preparing to eat or to engage in some practice necessitating sterility. He is merely awaiting a conversation. Nonetheless, he is fastidious about his washing. It is a curious image with which to begin Kim Jee-Woon’s A Tale of Two Sisters, but one that, eventually, makes a great deal of sense. For hand-washing, in the grand tradition of Pontius Pilate, is commonly associated with the cleansing of guilt, and guilt hangs over Kim’s picture like a deathly shroud.
Of course, hand-washing…
To all involved in the making of this film:
You're all a bunch of heartless bastards.
Sincerely,
Dirk's insomnia
Kim Ji-Woon's A Tale of Two Sisters, remains a consistently rewarding rewatch. It's a smartly crafted, atmospheric psychological horror movie peppered with just the right amount of jump scares to spice things, with a nearly consistent undertone of dread.
Yet, at its heart, A Tale of Two Sisters is much more than a ghost story, it's a heartbreaking study of a family torn apart by grief & loss.
Are you crazy?
The past is a ghost we can never escape from, hence the phrase haunted by guilt. It sticks with us like a black, ugly mist and any effort to contain it would only backfire and cause it to spill out and seep into our surroundings, into the blood red wallpaper, the neatly arranged furniture, the scattered pills, and the most terrifying place of them all: the cold, damp corner under the sink. This is a haunted house not because of it's location, but the disturbed beings that inhabit it. This is a tale of two sisters concerning a family a four, no five, six, seven, wait but don't forget the little girl roaming between hallways, the phantom…
Hoop-Tober, Film 17 of 31:
A complex film that utilizes the concept of non-linear filmmaking quite well, but is so intricately crafted that it might confuse some viewers. You'd be hard-pressed to find a horror film with a better combination of cinematography, editing and performances... but even calling this a horror film feels wrong. The ever-mobile camera juxtaposed with the gorgeous set design makes for a fantastic visual experience, and the sound design is just as well put together. There were at least a half dozen points during the film where a certain sound effect or scream or something sent a shiver down my spine and made my body tense up.
A Tale of Two Sisters has an impressive atmosphere…
"Do you know what's really scary? You want to forget something. Totally wipe it off your mind. But you never can."
1. Watching this before bed was a mistake.
2. I THINK I know what happened in this film, but I need to see it again to be sure.
3. This film is amazing on all accounts.
4. To anyone considering watching it: DO IT! But pay attention to everything, or you may end up confused.
5. Seriously, how am I supposed to sleep now?
Brilliantly shot with great direction, this moody and atmospheric take on the Korean folktale Janghwa Hongryeon jeon succeeds at being effectively disturbing despite showing restraint. Haven’t watched this creepy stylish spooker in a few years and I’m glad I gave it another go—this is another home run in the wonderful filmography of Kim Jee-woon
I love ghost stories that don’t rely on jumpscares but solely utilize atmosphere and a more subtle approach that somehow always ends up being more terrifying. I love when elements of trauma or mental illness are brought in too. Tricks of the mind are the most frightening thing and it’s displayed well here but I was too confused at points for me to rate this as high as I would like.
