Secret Sunshine

The Plot
This 2007 Korean movie is making its rounds in the arts circuit. Filmed & named after a place in Korea, Milyang, this movie sees a single mum life's journey.

After losing her husband, Shin-ae (Do-yeon Jeon) shifted to her former's husband's hometown with her son. She made good attempts at adopting to a new life and making new friends despite some were sceptical of her.


However, one day, her son is kidnapped & killed. From there onwards, her life takes a dramatic turn and her emotions swing. She found Christianity to help her but eventually fall out from it.

Why Watch This Movie
If you are a Korean movie fan, or if you are an art fan. It will also appeal to those who want to know more on Korean's culture, especially of a smaller town compared of that to Seoul.


It may also be worthwhile to watch the superb acting for Cannes Film Festival 2007's (Best Actress) - Do-yeon Jeon, which reminds a lot of Jodie Foster's movie roles. In fact all the actors here played their parts well, including Kang-ho Song (playing a bachelor who is in love with her) and her young playful son.


However, it's 'hanging' ending despite a build up in the story may leave some very unhappy audience, even the ones who love art films.

Conclusion & Overall Rating
2.5 stars.



Update:
Secret Sunshine has won Best Film, Best Director (Lee Chang Dong) & Best Actress (Jeon Do Yeon) in the Hong Kong's 2nd Asian Film Awards.

Mission Sex Control

First, before you misunderstand, this comedy-movie is on sex control, and not sex. Produced in 2006, this movie has recently been screened in Singapore.

This movie is based in 1971 when the Korean government launched a nationwide birth control policy with the aim to achieve higher income per capita status. To achieve this, the government sent their agents to the villages to teach & educate families on family planning.

Hyun-joo was sent to a small remote village - Yongdu Village with that mission, only to receive much resistance to contraception & the whole idea on family planning.

However, she didn't give up and eventually had Suk-gu & his friends to listen to her. To further get his & the residents support, she applied for him to be the new chief in the village. His promise in return is a '0 birth rate' in the bottom ranked village for 1 full year - a very hard & difficult task indeed for the ignorant folks.

It was this position that got him lots of trouble and losing friends & even nearly lost his family members.

This Korean movie has its typical Korean movie style - great photography, settings, beautiful actress... and also the constant non-predictable ending with twists - which actually is the spoiler here. The at times funny and at times emotional plot simply confuse the emotions - comedy or romance or ...?

Maybe this movie doesn't stand out because I've got a dose of too much similar style Korean movies... and maybe that is one of the reasons why Korean silver screens are not doing as well with their soap opera counterparts too.