Review
Classic Movie Review
The Servant 방자전
T
oday’s title delves deep into the many-storied and labyrinthine Korean past. In the West it is most often referred to as The Servant but Koreans may be more familiar with the title 방 자전¸ (Bangja Jeon), or The Chronicles of Bangja. The film proves itself a fascinating retelling of a classic story, told through the lens of the legendary Chosun Dynasty which wrought modern Korea. Dae-woo Kim, who got his start after winning a screenwriting contest in 1991, ably directs this historical drama. Much like Stoppard’s famed play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, which explores Hamlet from two minor characters’ viewpoints, this movie also takes a story that all Koreans know well – the ancient novel Chunhyangjeon (actually one of the oldest recorded novels ever written) – and tells it from the point of view of an unlikely and somewhat obscure character. The novel and famed Pansori (Korean song-story) of the same name tell of the courtship between a wellrespected nobleman and a somewhat lower-class beauty. You’ll find an interesting twist here in the film version as the servant of said noble tells the story of how he himself actually seduced the beauty in question. I’ll not commit the crime of saying more and spoiling the substantially engaging story. One of the things that really shines here is the art direction – the costumes, tools, architecture that all seem so fascinatingly old and ornate. As a Westerner without much knowledge of the splendid crafts of the period, I find my mind at times often less impressed with the acting than with the intriguing costumes and ornamentation – all of which signify different social standings and levels of birth. A drawback to the film is that the plot doesn’t really
allow for a lot of character development, and you might find that some of the protagonist’s motivations and behaviors feel a bit flat. While this detracts a lot from the film, it by no means ruins it. Do not fear, the otherwise flat characters are saved by the dynamic and hilarious one played by O Dal-soo. Trust me when I say you will know who I mean once you watch the film; his is a diamond amongst paltry performances. The restraints and complexities of the period play a huge role in the film, with character’s entire lives being determined by the situations of their birth. Characters often do things which seem outlandish in order to save face or keep up appearance. While there are many disorienting changes in tone, and some vaguely masked sexism in the film, it is otherwise a real pearl. The visuals, cultural displays and general passion of this historical piece make it a worthy recommendation – check it out! By Seth Pevey First published in the Gwangju Blog
Gwangju News June 2011
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