|
 Thirst
(DVD - 2009)
R1 / NTSC DVD
Focus Features / 2009
Directed by Chan-wook Park
Written by Chan-wook Park
Cast: Song Kang-ho, Kim Ok-bin, Shin Kyun-ha & Kim Hae-suk
Review by Phillip Escott
The vampire genre, as we all know, has arisen from its
coffin once again – thanks, some may say, to a Mormon.
Though I don’t see Twilight as the savior of the genre, I
like to think Alan Ball and his excellent adaptation of
Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire series, True Blood, is
the saving grace behind the re-birth. It’s the anti-Twilight
in everyway, and everything vampirism should be; dark,
brooding, dangerous and sexual – not sparkly and fluffy!
Regardless of which side you root for, the genre is truly
alive and kicking. So when news broke that Korean
mega-director Chan-wook Park was to make a vampire film; it
was a guarantee that it would be worth our time.
Park regular Song Kang-ho stars as Sang-hyun, a Priest who
has grown tired of living in a world full of suffering and
death. He wants to help those who come to him; he volunteers
his body to scientists in hopes of finding a cure for a
deadly new virus, the Emmanuel Virus. Of the 50 volunteers,
he is the sole survivor; yet he did die. During the
experiment, it transpires, he was exposed to infected blood
– vampire blood. The man of God is now a servant of Satan,
yet people who hear of his recovery believe him to be a
savior and healer; yet he feeds off the vulnerable in order
to survive.
Blood isn’t the only thing he lusts for however, he begins
an affair with Tae-ju, the wife of an old friend. As the two
grow closer, Sang-hyun comes clean about his disease and
Tae-ju admits to her misery within her marriage and her
life; her abusive mother-in-law treats her like a dog and
her husband treats her worse. Suspicious markings on her
legs indicate abuse which drives Sang-hyun into a rage and
they plot the demise of her husband. The three take a
fishing trip and only Sang-hyun and Tae-ju return; as guilt
sets in about the death the relationship breaks down and
truths are revealed that lead to more death, and the turning
of Tae-ju into a vampire… a very aggressive, angry vampire
who has no qualms with taking innocents lives.
Thirst will have audiences talking, there’s no question that
this will be one of 2009’s most talked about movies. At 133
minutes in length it’s too long, and a film with this many
subtleties will require repeat viewings, but it’s a lengthy
proposition that many may not wish to partake. The middle
section is the film biggest flaw, it runs a good 20 minutes
longer than it should; yet it never feels aimless as its
this section that adds the punch as the film draws to its
blood-soaked finale. The film has so much going on that it
sometimes feels like three films in one; it’s a
Shakespearean tragedy, a dark romantic-comedy and a horror
movie rolled into one.
As you would expect from a man of Parks stature the film is,
from a technical stand-point, a marvel. It looks stunning,
each frame is a work of art and his palate is a perfect
contrast of dark, earthy colors and burning, bright
counterparts. The actors give it their all and Song Kang-ho
delivers his best performance since 2003’s Memories of
Murder. He certainly has stiff competition from the
marvelous Kim Ok-bin, who portrays a character that Lady
Macbeth would bow-down to. Shin Kyun-ha is underused as Tae-ju’s,
constantly ill, husband; yet his unique facial expressions
leave an impact on the viewer in a number of surreal
set-pieces that are guaranteed to linger in your mind after
viewing.
Thirst is also shockingly frank in its depictions of sex, we
have come to expect hard-hitting violence, but thanks to the
American backing Park has now been able to shake some of the
shackles of the South Korean industry in terms of sex. Sex
here isn’t titillating though, it’s used as a weapon and
comes across as a need, it’s not a pleasure for Sang-hyun
who tries to repress his urges through self-harm; sickened
by his new-found carnality. This is where the movie truly
rewards; it’s created a tragic couple that would have
Shakespeare applauding. Despite all their flaws, they’re
characters you’ll care about, remember and want to re-visit.
|
