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DVD Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring
Working miracles with only a single set and a handful of characters, Korean director Kim Ki-Duk creates a wise little gem of a movie. As the title suggests, the action takes place in five distinct episodes, but sometimes many years separate the seasons. The setting is a floating monastery in a pristine mountain lake, where an elderly monk teaches a boy the lessons of life--although when the boy grows to manhood, he inevitably must learn a few hard lessons for himself. By the time the story reaches its final sections, you realize you have witnessed the arc of existence--not one person's life, but everyone's. It's as enchanting as a Buddhist fable, but it's not precious; Kim (maker of the notorious The Isle) consistently surprises you with a sex scene or an explosion of black comedy; he also vividly acts in the Winter segment, when the lake around the monastery eerily freezes. --Robert Horton
Review(s): DVD Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring
A deep sense and appreciation for nature
This lyrical Buddhist based story has a deceptive simplicity about it. As most great movies do, they nuance their profound and unique knowledge about the human experience. The movie, situated solely at a mountain lake, set the stage for a back to nature mise-en-scene. The story revolves around an elderly monk and his young student, as they move from one stage of the life cycle to the next. As the title suggests, the movie begins with spring then moves to summer, from summer to fall, from fall to winter, and then moves back again to spring; taking into account the full cycle of the seasons of the calendar accentuated by certain events that transformed both their lives. Kim Ki Duk's directs this film from its initial placid state, as depicted by the still water of the distant lake, and deftly moves us to the cavalcade of passion and emotion. The movie is marked by its deep sense of compassion and the non judgmental nature of Buddhism. Marked by powerful performances, we need to acknowledge Yeo-jin Ha. Almost anachronistic and seemingly self destructive - her stellar performance of the disturbed yet likeable patient lent itself to the non judgmental nature of the film - not to mention that she was trouble waiting to happen in this all boys enclave. Moreover, filled with a plethora of humorous moments in the mesmeric appearances of a white cat, the slow moving turtle and a perplexed rooster, the film is sensual, raw, and earthy. The films real triumph is how it takes us back through a lack of ornamentalism allowing us to follow a sense of deep spiritual discipline. It took this viewer back to place in my youth where I saw things as they are rather than how I would have wished them to be.
Miguel Llora
WONDERFUL!
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring, brings to the screen the relationship between two Buddhist monks, a master and his student. The story gets more complicated when the student grows older and is introduced to love...
The film combines romance and drama, making it one of the best of its kind!
Moreover, the fascinating culture and traditions of Korea are presented very well in the film.
The plot is excellent and opens a window into the mysterious Orient.
Furthermore, shot on location it provides for some amazing scenery.
Needless to say, Ki-duk Kim, Yeong-su Oh, and the rest of the cast have truly outdone themselves with their performances, which are outstanding to say the least! All the actors, without exceptions, give it their 100%! Their great talent and chemistry clearly shows, thus providing an entertaining film that can be watched over and over again.
The setting, the (few) dialogues, and the music are all wonderful!
Very well written and very well presented, it is a movie definitely worth owning, yet alone watching, especially for those Eastern/Oriental enthusiasts.
Thought provoking ...
This is a wonderful parable movie from Korea. The premise is about leading a selfless, non-violent, spiritual and simple life. The passing seasons are a metaphor for phases in a man's life.
The subtle lessons showing redemption by indulging oneself in sheer selfless hard work were most inspiring. Another inspiring story is of a little kid who ties a toad to a stone and a fish by a long twine. The fish dies and the kid's master punishes him by tying a a heavy grind stone around his back and have him walk uphill. In today's modern world we all seem to have forgotten some basic principles and this movie is a gentle reminder that helps us connect to our higher consciousness.
From an aesthetic sense the movie has been shot brilliantly. The mountains, the floating house, the open gates and the wonderful camera angles.
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