Sympathy for Lady Vengeance
Encyclopedia
Sympathy for Lady Vengeance is a 2008 South Korean
film by director
Park Chan-wook
. In North America
and parts of Europe
, the film has been screened under the title Lady Vengeance. The film is the third installment in Park's The Vengeance Trilogy
, following Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance
(2002) and Oldboy
(2003). It stars Lee Young Ae
as Lee Geum-ja, a woman released from prison after serving the sentence for a murder she did not commit. The film tells her story of revenge against the real murderer.
The film debuted on July 29, 2008 in South Korea, and competed for the Golden Lion at the 62nd Venice International Film Festival
in September 2005. While it failed to win in competition, it did walk away with Cinema of The Future, the Young Lion Award and the Best Innovated Film Award in the non-competition section. It won the award for Best Film at the 26th Blue Dragon Film Awards
. The film had its U.S. premiere on September 30, 2008 at the New York Film Festival
. It began its limited release in North American theatres on May 5, 2008.
musical procession waiting outside a prison for Lee Geum-ja (Lee Young Ae
), a recently-reformed female prisoner, who had been convicted of murdering a young schoolboy, Won-mo. The case, a national sensation because of her young age at the time of the murder and innocent appearance, earns her a lengthy prison sentence, reduced because of her apparent spiritual transformation in prison and her good conduct, also towards other inmates, resulting in the nickname of the "Kind-Hearted Geum-Ja." As Lee Geum-ja emerges from prison, she immediately sidesteps the procession, intent on revenge.
Lee Geum-ja is innocent of the murder, confessing to the false crime by order of Mr. Baek (Choi Min-sik
), the real killer who kidnapped and threatened to murder her newborn daughter if she refused. Inside prison, Geum-ja makes a number of friends with her angelic, maternal demeanour, donating a kidney to one inmate, tenderly caring for others and poisoning the prison bully. Once paroled, Geum-Ja immediately visits the other paroled inmates, calling in favours that include food, shelter and weapons. She also begins work at a local pastry shop, under the tutelage of a chef who previously volunteered at the prison. Further distancing herself from her kind-hearted reputation, she wears red
eyeshadow, provocative high-heel pumps
and chronically dreams about murdering Mr. Baek.
Geum-ja researches her daughter and discovers that she was adopted by Australian parents. Jenny, now a teenager, does not speak Korean nor does she initially embrace her mother. After persuading her family to allow her to return to Seoul from Sydney, Jenny follows Geum-ja around the city as she plans to kidnap Mr. Baek with help of his wife, another ex-convict. During this Mr. Baek, now a children's teacher at a local preschool, discovers that Geum-ja is released and aware of her plans, attacks his wife and hires thugs to ambush Geum-ja and Jenny. In the ensuing battle, Geum-ja kills both the thugs, while Mr. Baek falls unconscious due to the drugs slipped into his food by his wife.
Geum-ja, eager yet hesitant to kill the unconscious Mr. Baek, discovers several children's trinkets decorating his cell phone. Remembering that his modus operandi
involved stealing an orange marble from Won-Mo following his murder, Geum-ja realises that they are souvenirs from victims and deduces that Mr. Baek murdered other children as well. She imprisons him and contacts the detective from the Won-Mo case, and together they infiltrate Mr. Baek's apartment and discover snuff
tapes
of the other children that Mr. Baek murdered. Geum-ja and the detective contact and transport the parents or surviving relatives of the missing children to an abandoned school on the outskirts of Seoul. After showing them the tapes, the group deliberates on Mr. Baek's fate, ultimately deciding to collectively murder him, with the audio of their discussion amplified for Baek to hear. Wearing raincoats and wielding a variety of weapons, they approach Mr. Baek individually and attack him while the last person, an emotionless grandmother, kills Baek with the scissors of her murdered grand daughter. They take a group photo ensuring that none of them can turn in the others without implicating themselves, then bury the corpse outside.
Geum-ja, the investigator, and the parents all converge on Geum-ja's bakery, where they eat a cake and sing a collective birthday song for their deceased children. Geum-ja approaches her apartment with a cake box when she notices Jenny. They embrace before Geum-ja opens the box to reveal a white cake resembling a block of tofu. She instructs her daughter to "live white", as pure as tofu. Jenny tastes the cake and says Geum-ja should live even more purely. As they stare up into the snowy sky, Geum-ja weeps and sobs uncontrollably, burying her face in the cake, while Jenny moves to hug her.
, is heavily baroque-themed, featuring many pieces with harpsichord, baroque guitars, and other instruments. The main theme is an edited version of Vivaldi's
"Ah ch'infelice sempre" from "Cessate, omai cessate." The song is appropriate since the unedited version's melody is sung by a woman who is seeking revenge on a man who has betrayed her, much like the film itself. The 24th Caprice by Paganini also appears many times.
Both versions of the film were shown in Korean cinemas, although the fading version was presented only in digital format at a few DLP-equipped multiplexes. The film ends with the narrator saying, "Farewell..." followed by Jenny's line: "Miss Geum-ja."
This version has since been made available on the Korean Special Edition DVD of Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (with DTS audio only), and in the Tartan Films
DVD and Blu-ray boxset releases of the Vengeance trilogy. On the Tartan boxset packaging, the version is incorrectly titled "Fade to White version".
Sympathy for Lady Vengeance opened in limited release in two North American theatres on April 28, 2006 under the title Lady Vengeance. In its opening weekend, it earned $9,850 ($4,925 per screen). It earned $197,486 during its entire run, playing at 15 screens during its widest point.
Its total worldwide box office gross is $23,809,504.
Cinema of Korea
Korean cinema encompasses the motion picture industries of North and South Korea. As with all aspects of Korean life during the past century, the film industry has often been at the mercy of political events, from the late Joseon dynasty to the Korean War to domestic governmental interference...
film by director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
Park Chan-wook
Park Chan-wook
Park Chan-wook is a South Korean film director, screenwriter, producer, and former film critic. One of the most acclaimed and popular filmmakers in his native country, Park is most known for his films Joint Security Area, Thirst and what has become known as The Vengeance Trilogy, consisting of...
. In North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and parts of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, the film has been screened under the title Lady Vengeance. The film is the third installment in Park's The Vengeance Trilogy
The Vengeance Trilogy
The Vengeance Trilogy are three films, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance , Oldboy , Sympathy for Lady Vengeance , directed by South Korean film director Park Chan-wook, which dealt with the themes of "revenge, violence and salvation"...
, following Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance is a 2002 South Korean film directed by Park Chan-wook which follows the character Ryu trying to earn enough money for his sister's kidney transplant and the path of vengeance that follows. It is the first part of The Vengeance Trilogy and is followed by Oldboy and...
(2002) and Oldboy
Oldboy
Oldboy is a 2003 South Korean film directed by Park Chan-wook. It is based on the Japanese manga of the same name written by Nobuaki Minegishi and Garon Tsuchiya. Oldboy is the second installment of The Vengeance Trilogy, preceded by Sympathy for Mr...
(2003). It stars Lee Young Ae
Lee Young Ae
Lee Young Ae is a South Korean actress.-Career:Lee made her debut as a TV model in 1991. After appearing in TV commercials, she started playing in TV dramas and movies....
as Lee Geum-ja, a woman released from prison after serving the sentence for a murder she did not commit. The film tells her story of revenge against the real murderer.
The film debuted on July 29, 2008 in South Korea, and competed for the Golden Lion at the 62nd Venice International Film Festival
62nd Venice International Film Festival
The 62nd Venice International Film Festival opened on August 31, 2005 with Tsui Hark's Seven Swords and closed on September 10, 2005 with a screening of Peter Ho-sun Chan's musical Perhaps Love. The lineups were announced by the festival director Marco Müller on July 28, 2005 in Rome...
in September 2005. While it failed to win in competition, it did walk away with Cinema of The Future, the Young Lion Award and the Best Innovated Film Award in the non-competition section. It won the award for Best Film at the 26th Blue Dragon Film Awards
Blue Dragon Film Awards
The Blue Dragon Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony that is presented annually by Sports Chosun for excellence in film in South Korea....
. The film had its U.S. premiere on September 30, 2008 at the New York Film Festival
New York International Independent Film and Video Festival
New York International Independent Film and Video Festival is a film screening event in various American cities. It was founded in 1993, and its website claims it has been recognized by the film and entertainment industry as one of the leading film events on the independent festival circuit...
. It began its limited release in North American theatres on May 5, 2008.
Plot
The film begins with a ChristianChristian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
musical procession waiting outside a prison for Lee Geum-ja (Lee Young Ae
Lee Young Ae
Lee Young Ae is a South Korean actress.-Career:Lee made her debut as a TV model in 1991. After appearing in TV commercials, she started playing in TV dramas and movies....
), a recently-reformed female prisoner, who had been convicted of murdering a young schoolboy, Won-mo. The case, a national sensation because of her young age at the time of the murder and innocent appearance, earns her a lengthy prison sentence, reduced because of her apparent spiritual transformation in prison and her good conduct, also towards other inmates, resulting in the nickname of the "Kind-Hearted Geum-Ja." As Lee Geum-ja emerges from prison, she immediately sidesteps the procession, intent on revenge.
Lee Geum-ja is innocent of the murder, confessing to the false crime by order of Mr. Baek (Choi Min-sik
Choi Min-sik
Choi Min-sik is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his critically acclaimed roles in Oldboy and I Saw the Devil.-Movie career:...
), the real killer who kidnapped and threatened to murder her newborn daughter if she refused. Inside prison, Geum-ja makes a number of friends with her angelic, maternal demeanour, donating a kidney to one inmate, tenderly caring for others and poisoning the prison bully. Once paroled, Geum-Ja immediately visits the other paroled inmates, calling in favours that include food, shelter and weapons. She also begins work at a local pastry shop, under the tutelage of a chef who previously volunteered at the prison. Further distancing herself from her kind-hearted reputation, she wears red
Red
Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630–740 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared , and cannot be seen by the naked eye...
eyeshadow, provocative high-heel pumps
High-heeled shoe
High-heeled footwear is footwear that raises the heel of the wearer's foot significantly higher than the toes. When both the heel and the toes are raised equal amounts, as in a platform shoe, it is technically not considered to be a high heel; however, there are also high-heeled platform shoes...
and chronically dreams about murdering Mr. Baek.
Geum-ja researches her daughter and discovers that she was adopted by Australian parents. Jenny, now a teenager, does not speak Korean nor does she initially embrace her mother. After persuading her family to allow her to return to Seoul from Sydney, Jenny follows Geum-ja around the city as she plans to kidnap Mr. Baek with help of his wife, another ex-convict. During this Mr. Baek, now a children's teacher at a local preschool, discovers that Geum-ja is released and aware of her plans, attacks his wife and hires thugs to ambush Geum-ja and Jenny. In the ensuing battle, Geum-ja kills both the thugs, while Mr. Baek falls unconscious due to the drugs slipped into his food by his wife.
Geum-ja, eager yet hesitant to kill the unconscious Mr. Baek, discovers several children's trinkets decorating his cell phone. Remembering that his modus operandi
Modus operandi
Modus operandi is a Latin phrase, approximately translated as "mode of operation". The term is used to describe someone's habits or manner of working, their method of operating or functioning...
involved stealing an orange marble from Won-Mo following his murder, Geum-ja realises that they are souvenirs from victims and deduces that Mr. Baek murdered other children as well. She imprisons him and contacts the detective from the Won-Mo case, and together they infiltrate Mr. Baek's apartment and discover snuff
Snuff film
A snuff film is a motion picture genre that depicts the actual death or murder of a person or people, without the aid of special effects, for the express purpose of distribution and entertainment or financial exploitation. For-profit snuff films are generally regarded as an urban legend, whose...
tapes
Videotape
A videotape is a recording of images and sounds on to magnetic tape as opposed to film stock or random access digital media. Videotapes are also used for storing scientific or medical data, such as the data produced by an electrocardiogram...
of the other children that Mr. Baek murdered. Geum-ja and the detective contact and transport the parents or surviving relatives of the missing children to an abandoned school on the outskirts of Seoul. After showing them the tapes, the group deliberates on Mr. Baek's fate, ultimately deciding to collectively murder him, with the audio of their discussion amplified for Baek to hear. Wearing raincoats and wielding a variety of weapons, they approach Mr. Baek individually and attack him while the last person, an emotionless grandmother, kills Baek with the scissors of her murdered grand daughter. They take a group photo ensuring that none of them can turn in the others without implicating themselves, then bury the corpse outside.
Geum-ja, the investigator, and the parents all converge on Geum-ja's bakery, where they eat a cake and sing a collective birthday song for their deceased children. Geum-ja approaches her apartment with a cake box when she notices Jenny. They embrace before Geum-ja opens the box to reveal a white cake resembling a block of tofu. She instructs her daughter to "live white", as pure as tofu. Jenny tastes the cake and says Geum-ja should live even more purely. As they stare up into the snowy sky, Geum-ja weeps and sobs uncontrollably, burying her face in the cake, while Jenny moves to hug her.
Cast
- Lee Young AeLee Young AeLee Young Ae is a South Korean actress.-Career:Lee made her debut as a TV model in 1991. After appearing in TV commercials, she started playing in TV dramas and movies....
as Lee Geum-ja - Choi Min-sikChoi Min-sikChoi Min-sik is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his critically acclaimed roles in Oldboy and I Saw the Devil.-Movie career:...
as Mr. Baek (Baek Han-sang) - Kwon Yea-young as Jenny
- Kim Byeong-ok as The Preacher
- Kim Shi-hu as Geun-shik
- Nam Il-wu as Detective Choi
- Tony Barry as Jenny's adoptive father
- Anne Cordiner as Jenny's adoptive mother
- Go Soo-heeGo Soo-hee-Film:-TV shows:-External links:* at Naver 영화 * at Cine 21...
as Ma-nyeo - Kim Boo-seon as Woo So-young
- Lee Seung-Shin as Park Yi-jeong
- Oh Dal-suOh Dal-suOh Dal-su is a South Korean actor. He has played many crime-related roles, such as Mr.Park the owner of the organized crime funded private jail in Oldboy and a former gang boss in Mapado . He plays a semi-comic part as a weapons smuggler in A Bittersweet Life...
as Mr. Chang - Ra Mi-ran as Oh Su-hee
- Seo Yeong-ju as Kim Yang-hee
- Yoo Ji-tae as grown-up Won-Mo, as seen in a vision
Music
The music for Lady Vengeance, composed by Choi Seung-hyunChoi Seung-hyun
-Filmography:*Children *Sympathy for Lady Vengeance*Oldboy*Windstruck*My Mighty Princess*The Classic*If You Were Me*Wide Awake *Black House *The Guard Post*Lady Daddy*Yoga Hakwon...
, is heavily baroque-themed, featuring many pieces with harpsichord, baroque guitars, and other instruments. The main theme is an edited version of Vivaldi's
Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi , nicknamed because of his red hair, was an Italian Baroque composer, priest, and virtuoso violinist, born in Venice. Vivaldi is recognized as one of the greatest Baroque composers, and his influence during his lifetime was widespread over Europe...
"Ah ch'infelice sempre" from "Cessate, omai cessate." The song is appropriate since the unedited version's melody is sung by a woman who is seeking revenge on a man who has betrayed her, much like the film itself. The 24th Caprice by Paganini also appears many times.
Fade to Black and White version
Two versions of the film exist, the standard version and the "Fade to Black and White version". The latter version begins in full colour, but throughout the film the colour gradually fades until it is totally black and white at the end of the film. In conjunction with the camera technique of removing the colours, there is also a change in the environmental colours used in backgrounds and clothing. At the beginning of the film, the environments contain a lot of primary colours, whereas toward the end of the film pastel shades, blacks and whites are used. Geum-ja wears a blue coat in the early part of the film, but this is replaced with a black leather coat at the end. The brightly coloured walls of the prison and Geum-ja's bedroom are replaced with the grey walls of the school.Both versions of the film were shown in Korean cinemas, although the fading version was presented only in digital format at a few DLP-equipped multiplexes. The film ends with the narrator saying, "Farewell..." followed by Jenny's line: "Miss Geum-ja."
This version has since been made available on the Korean Special Edition DVD of Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (with DTS audio only), and in the Tartan Films
Tartan Films
Palisades Tartan is a US and UK film distribution company, founded by US-based Palisades Media Group to take over the film library of Tartan Films after it folded in Summer 2008.-History:...
DVD and Blu-ray boxset releases of the Vengeance trilogy. On the Tartan boxset packaging, the version is incorrectly titled "Fade to White version".
Box office
Sympathy for Lady Vengeance opened in Korea on July 29, 2005 to blockbuster business, grossing $7,382,034 in its first week according to boxofficemojo.com. In terms of total admissions, it was the seventh biggest domestic release in Korea that year, and the eighth biggest overall. It achieved great financial success.Sympathy for Lady Vengeance opened in limited release in two North American theatres on April 28, 2006 under the title Lady Vengeance. In its opening weekend, it earned $9,850 ($4,925 per screen). It earned $197,486 during its entire run, playing at 15 screens during its widest point.
Its total worldwide box office gross is $23,809,504.
Awards
- Won Best Actress (International Competition) 8th Cinemanila Film Festival 2006: Lee Young-ae
- Won "Best Director" at Bangkok Festival 2006
- Won "Little Golden Lion" at Venice Film Festival 2005
- Lee Young-ae won "Best Actress" at Sitges Film Festival 2005
- Won Best Actress at The Motterle Awards, 2005: Lee Young-ae
- Lee Young-ae won "Best Actress" at Blue Dragon Awards 2005
- Won Best Film at the Blue Dragon Awards 2005
See also
- List of Korean language films
- List of Korea-related topics
- Revenge playRevenge playThe revenge play or revenge tragedy is a form of tragedy which was extremely popular in the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. The best-known of these are Thomas Kyd's The Spanish Tragedy and William Shakespeare's Hamlet...
External links
- Official Site (Closed)