Painted Fire

Painted Fire 2002

7.10

In a time of political and social unrest in 19th century Korea, uncouth, self-taught painter Jang Seung-up explores his natural talent amidst the repressive world around him.

2002

Sopyonje

Sopyonje 1993

7.80

A former pansori performer travels across South Korea in search of the student he studied with.

1993

The Taebaek Mountains

The Taebaek Mountains 1994

6.70

Based on the great river story, The Taebaek Mountains chronicles the lasting generational conflict between proprietors and peasants in South Korea.

1994

The Road to the Racetrack

The Road to the Racetrack 1991

6.50

R returns from studying in France and reunites with J, whom he used to live with in Paris.

1991

Chunhyang

Chunhyang 2000

6.70

A courtesan's daughter's fidelity to her husband, the governor's son, is tested when he and his family leave for Seoul and the new governor attempts to possess her.

2000

Mulberry

Mulberry 1986

6.00

Sam-po is a gambler living without concern for how his wife will manage their houselhold without his earning money. In order to get food and provisions, his wife An-hyeob, sleeps with various merchants in the village. One of the few men she does not sleep with, a lustful servant named Sam-dol, decides to reveal her activities to her husband for revenge.

1986

Low Life

Low Life 2004

5.80

A sprawling story of one man's tumultuous life within the context of the South Korean political situation during the second half of the 20th century.

2004

General's Son 3

General's Son 3 1992

6.30

Following the final events of General's Son 2, Kim Du-han is forced to go on the lam but eventually returns to Jongro where he attempts to rebuild his gang with the brothers that are still alive and loyal and defeat Hayashi's Yakuzas once and for all.

1992

The Home of Two Women

The Home of Two Women 1987

1

Resentment rages between two sisters, one of whom was indirectly responsible for her husband's death and the other who secretly loved him.

1987

General's Son

General's Son 1990

5.90

In Japanese-occupied South Korea, a young man, newly-released from prison, is accepted into a gang for his fighting skills and quickly rises to the top. Based on the life of South Korean mobster and politician Kim Du-han.

1990

Sadae Shaolin Temple

Sadae Shaolin Temple 1984

4.90

A general goes on a search for a book that reveals the names of revolutionaries in the area, leading to a showdown at a Shaolin temple where he faces off against the revolutionaries.

1984

Between the Knees

Between the Knees 1984

5.00

Ja-young is a flutist. When her father has a child out of wedlock, her mother regards sex as a sin out of anger towards him. Ja-young grows up under her mother's exceedingly oppressive notions.

1984

General's Son 2

General's Son 2 1991

5.40

Upon being released from prison, Kim Du-han begins rebuilding his street gang in the face of Hayashi's Yakuzas and increasing Japanese influence.

1991

Passion Portrait

Passion Portrait 1991

6.50

Failing to enter the university of his choice, a young man is forced to enter a local college, but a series of disappointments causes him to give up his studies and begin a life of aimless travel.

1991

Downfall

Downfall 1997

5.20

A young woman is tricked into prostitution, thinking she is going to sell beverages at a village store. She soon learns about the dark world of Korea's red-light districts, where their pimps and society exploit her.

1997

Come Come Come Upward

Come Come Come Upward 1989

6.90

This story of two Buddhist nuns is an exploration of the Korean experience of the relationship between hardship and religious salvation. Trainee Soon-nyeo is forced to confront her True Path by walking among the people, while venerable Jinseong must pursue enlightenment through her inner practice.

1989

Passage to Buddha

Passage to Buddha 1993

7.10

A young boy mourns the death of his father, and begins a quest to find his mother. He encounters many people on the way who quote Buddhist precepts: an eccentric monk, a girl who grows up into a young woman, a prison inmate, a foul-mouthed doctor and the young son of a hard drinking astronomer. Each of them tell the boy to seek someone to help him find the truth and his mother.

1993

Festival

Festival 1996

7.30

While awaiting the publication of his fairytale about his dementia-stricken octogenarian mother, an acclaimed South Korean novelist receives news that she has passed away, so he leaves the city and returns to her village to take part in the funeral.

1996