the King and the Clown

I spent my National day evening glued to Korean films and dramas. I think that missing the National Day parade is a poor indicator to measure patriotism. (I honestly think it's a terrible proxy but this is not the focal point of today's entry.)

If you have not seen the movie entitled 'The King and The Clown' directed by Lee Jun Ki, then perhaps you may be missing out on a fine piece of art. My primary motivation to view the film was that I recently completed a Korean drama series- Iljimae, which is the Korea's version of Robin Hood with the regular quest for revenge where the lead actor, Lee Jun Ki (not the director) starred as the notable Clown in this highly acclaimed film.

I was enthralled by the film from the onset. That would be due to the opening scene of inscriptions and paintings which provided the a glimpse into the film and an introduction to the protagonists of the movie. Though the satirical and almost taboo plot was slightly ambitious (relative to budget constraints), no details were spared from depiction. Every word and every phrase, possessed vivid imageries and symbols which is rarely seen in modern film making today. No wonder this movie was a box-office clincher.

A film can have a good script, but it would take great actors to actualize the film's potential. Almost all characters were well developed despite the little screen time accorded to some. The film ends with the bittersweet utopic ideal of the protagonists leaving the palace, back to their wandering but fulfilling minstrel lives. And that ending was the icing on the cake for me this evening.