This is only the second film I've seen by the celebrated South-Korean director Kim Ki-duk (The other one being Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring, which I liked much better). As in that film, Pieta is a tale of redemption, told through a very damaged protagonist. The story of a vicious debt collector rediscovering his humanity after reconnecting with his long-lost mother is intriguing, has a few surprises up its sleeve, and I cannot deny that it is ultimately powerful. However, the film is a chore to watch. It's full of miserable characters leading miserable lives, and many scenes involve characters either crying, screaming, or both. There is not a single moment of levity or hope, and the flat digital cinematography doesn't help either.