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Two big themes in this film are love and ending of life.
ReplyDeleteThe love line between Darim and JungWon can be expected through many scenes such as them using handkerchiefs at the same time, eating the same kind of ice-cream or even sharing it, and facing toward the same direction whether they are standing or sitting. The ending of his love in our physical world is represented by pictures of his lovers in black and white. Although they do not directly speak of love, sharing the same actions and thoughts, they made eternal platonic love at the end.
As a big theme of this film, JungWon's death and illness controll JungWon physically and emotionally. Like the rough edge of the cup JungWon uses to take pills, his life was not so purely happy and smooth. Lie seeing through wall of glass or being surrounded by glass walls, JungWon lived in somewhat closed life, hiding his death and illness, and separated himself from others; he lived with smile and happiness on the outer-side of him and emotionally and physically hurted body and spirit in inside. Like the burnning cigarette after the old lady's pictures are taken, after JungWon takes a picture of himself, reflecting the beginning of the film, JungWon sleeps, yet eternally.
Throughout the film glasses and lens serve as a symbol for perspective. Even when he takes his glasses off, his glasses are still in the frame nearby. I got the impression that his glasses stood for his optimistic outlook on life. Although he did have grieving moments, he was able to enjoy the rest of his life. The way he chose to react was more cheerful than the average human. The film’s message is about having a positive attitude toward life. For example, Jung-won and his sister have a sweet moment when they are spitting out watermelon seeds. The presence of pictures in the film requests us to remember life through photos. The film tells us to treasure the happy moments when everyone is smiling. A scene that stood out to me was when Jung-won and Da-rim are eating ice cream at Seoul Land. While they are enjoying their ice cream, people are walking in the background in the space between them. The bride, groom, mother, and child show us what Jung-won and Da-rim desire but cannot have (marriage and children). Although this is unfortunate, the film shows that what society deems essential to happiness is not always correct. Similarly, the ringing of bells is heard after Jung-won reads Da-rim’s letter. This signals the end of his life, but he ends it happily. Thus, the film tenderly teaches us to appreciate life and simply enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the ambience of the film is not as melodramatic as “The Housemaid”, the viewer is immediately cast into the world of sadness that engulfs the life of Jungwon. We find at the beginning of the film that his mother passed away, shaping the mellow person that he is. The presence of melodrama and irony is exemplified by a pair of newlyweds that pass by Jungwon and Harim when they are at the amusement park on a date; this is melodramatic because the viewer has by now already found out that Jungwon will not live much longer, dooming the relationship. Overall, the film presents the viewer with a grim outlook on the life of Koreans albeit the blossoming of the love between Jungwon and Harim. Perhaps this is the symbolism of the persevering spirit and essence of the Korean people. There is a sense of optimism despite the hardships that characters face, allowing us to sense the sentiment that the director wants us to feel; the strength and perpetuation of the Korean people in times of hardship and almost god forsaken melodrama.
ReplyDeleteThis film is very intriguing in the way it captures characters and places. The film uses the frame within the frame a number of times when capturing Jungwon. Often walls or glass windows are captured with Jungwon to give a sense of isolation. For example, near the end, Jungwon is captured inside the coffee shop, looking out at Darim through the glass window. This delineates his inability to reach out. When capturing Jungwon sitting on the wooden floor in his house, the camera captures him from the inside of the house, showing the yard as the background. This again emphasizes how he is kept inside both physically and emotionally. This motif pervades throughout the film. Another interesting feature of this film is the use of depth. For a number of times Jungwon with other characters are captured, through the depth of field. For example, there is a scene where the worker at the fish market is captured in the front, Jungwon’s dad in the middle, and Jungwon at the back. Similarly, there is a scene where the camera captures Darim’s co-worker, Darim, and Jungwon in depth, respectively, through the open car window. Viewers are to watch Jungwon along with the other characters who are facing him. Also, the sound contributes to convey Jungwon’s confined situation as well. When Jungwon is shown sitting on the sofa in his studio, after recovering from the shock, the sound of the clock alarm fills the space to make the viewer aware of the time and to reemphasize Jungwon’s shortage of time. There are many other features that are unique and interesting in this film. Throughout the film, the camera zooms in to the characters, often capturing their upper bodies. These scenes are fashioned in a way to be like the photographic shots. Also, the camera alternates between static shots and non – static shots. Overall I find the use of the camera, in a symbolic way, the most intriguing feature of this film.
ReplyDeleteI might have appreciated this film if i saw it in 98' but seeing it now in context of other character-driven independent melancholic stylized films (predominant in modern korean cinema) it's tiring, suffocating, and uninteresting. The cheesy overacting and silly metaphorical shots (watering the window with the hose while his past love interest is on the other side) is unbearable. Trying to reconcile/not reconcile death and suffering, though complex and morbid, is a basic human truth and experience. And while it can be a very rich and profound area to explore, it can also be a disaster if done incorrectly. Unfortunately this director did. He didn't do justice to such a heavy subject and you probably couldn't which is why this film seems so pathetic but humble. And if that was his point then props to him. But even if I were to justify some of the things I point out like the overacting being Jung-won's incapability to live the remainder of his life without over-analyzing/posing for the metaphorical 'camera,' to me it still fails. Even if its supposed to be about nothingness and transient existence-- even if for all the reasons I dislike this film is the point of this film, I still can't appreciate it because of its lack of originality.
ReplyDeleteThe post modernist Korean cinema show profound development in cinematography. The movie "Christmas in August," is an example of the newly developing Korean cinema, and no wonder why this movie has achieved various awards. The general theme is love although the word "I love you" is never mentioned. Throughout the movie water seems to be a motif, symbolizing various things. First, water is greatly emphasized when Jung-won is about to take his medicine. It shows his terminal illness and the only way to survive is pure mineral water. Secondly, water represents the past. As Jung-won's past lover walks into the photo shop, watering the window represents clearing away the sad and unbearable pain of the protagonist who wishes to search for happiness as he approaches death. Notice how water makes the person behind the window blur! and the scene which follows is Jung-won in the bus talking about how past is past and the bust keeps moving forward. Lastly water also represents new love. Rain for instance, was a motive used in this movie which brought Jung-won and Darim closer to each other.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it may seem boring to see the photo shop over and over again, the setting represented the passage way to death, and happiness. The old lady and Jung-won took their memorial picture and interestingly both of them looked like death was near. Then the photo shop served as place of harmony and happiness as it brought Darim and Jung-won closer to each other, a place where they shared intimate dialog (indirectly).
Although the end was obvious for the audience, the plot, and objects that served as motive for many reasons was indeed very profound.
The photographer misses and dreams Christmas in August. But he can not make it.
ReplyDeleteHe knows that his love must be ended.The photographer Jungwon faces up to the death. What does he think about Darim? This film does not answer specifically about that question. I guess.. Even though his life is over, his love is endless. And maybe that's what he wanted it. He dreamed never ending love in his heart, not the love just stays in the picture. He can not overcome the death but does not violate his future gonna be ended. He just enjoyed the last christmas that is not existed as real. The image of the christmas itself is delightful and it is the symbol of happiness. By using the image of Christmas as his last memory, the director shows that happiness is not just came from the real world rather from people's mind. He is dead but his love alive until the next christmas. His death is not tragic because his eternal love is still alive. His physical life is over but his soul is not over yet that still with her.
The film "Christmas in August" is another melodramatic Korean film. The main character Jungwon is ill and meets Darim. The title shows how important Darim is to him in that he considers her as a Christmas present that came early. Jungwon most always is smiling and happy in nature although he has a serious illness. He has learned since he was little to be realistic and optimistic in life. His mother passed away and he always knew that one day he would die as well. However, Jungwon never really seems to be free from the bonds of his illness. He never can really express himself. The smile on his face is more of an automatic reaction that helps him deal with the fact he is dying. For instance, when he sees Darim from a window in a cafe he reaches out to her but is blocked by the glass. He longs to be with her, but he feels he does not have the right to be with her and never lets her know about his illness and even death. The director employs medium close-ups and close-up shots to make the face the most dominant part of the shot. In this way, the viewers do not get distracted from the characters face and can see the emotions behind the face without any distractions. In this film, the longing, the sadness, and the ephemeral smile can all be felt through the close-up shots. Jungwon really was able to get his feelings across to the viewers with the employment of close-up shots. The last memories were his most cherished, it was his Christmas present in August.
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ReplyDeleteThe saying goes "A picture is worth a thousand words," and in the last 10-ish minutes of the movie there was not much conversation aside from the constant framing of pictures and the photo studio. The main character Jung-won, before taking his own memorial picture, takes a quiet moment to himself to look through an album full of pictures of family and friends that are in color. These pictures that have been immortalized and encased serve as Jung-won's memories. The significance of his black and white photos however, represent his apprehension of the impermanence of things, things like love and how it fades like pictures, and life and death. These concepts to Jung-won are as simple as black and white photos, in which there is no complexity or beauty that comes with color photos. Rather, black and white photos serve as proof that there once existed something or someone. (Anny Wong)
ReplyDeleteThis movie taught life & death and how people can deal with lives in front of death. This movie flew very tranquilly without any stimulated factors. (The director even described the love between Jung-won and Da-rim without any common love-scenes~!). Jung-won who already knows his destination, has readjusted all of the things around him. Also, I think his job, photographer, has a significant role in the movie; from the portrait pictures of 2 people (Jung-won and old lady) to the Da-rim’s photo, Jung-won hung on the wall of his studio. In the middle of the movie when the old lady took a photo, her family was talking about their routine lives. In this part, I felt that life and death might be very natural and ordinary things like a photos, being just placed on the wall in our houses. The photo which Jung-won took with a light smile changed into portrait photo. It was a good unspoken-way of symbolizing his death very intensively. In addition, I’m so curios why director remained the flash lights of the cars reflected on the wall when Da-rim who was Jung-won’s last and eternal girl friend in his mind and he had a conversation at the studio. Anyway, in spite of the obstacles between the couple, it was very impressive.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Christmas reminds of happy memories, "Christmas in August" is a sad melodramatic film. Such a irony exists in the plot as well. While JungWon waits for his own death because of the terminal illness, Darim comes into his life. In contrast to JungWon's disease, Darim is always cheerful. Not only that, JungWon and Darim are different in almost every way. JungWon is old(relative to Darim), quiet, calm and ill(waiting to die). Darim is young, talkative, cheerful and healthy(her life is just starting). At the end of the movie, when JungWon's father closes the studio, Darim sees her picture hanging on the wall and smiles thinking JungWon came back when the picture was actually JungWon's last gift to Darim. I thought it was the most emotionally moving scene and it shows a contrast between JungWon and Darim. Although JungWon and Darim fell in love because of their differences, their love is hopeless one.
ReplyDeleteOne small detail I happened to notice during the film was that the director seemed to use some of the "montage" effect that...one of the articles we read described; that is, placing two images next to each other to convey a message or theme. For example, near the very beginning of the film, we see Jung Won at the hospital -- then we see him at a funeral. In some ways, the funeral seems to be random -- but after some thought, one will realize the foreshadowing that is inherent in the relationship between Jung Won's presence at the hospital and at the funeral. At the funeral, Jung Won remains separated from the ohers, as if he is a ghost -- and, of course, the film basically ends with his own death.
ReplyDeleteSimilarly, there is much that the film shows, but does not explain. Like Jung Won's job, the film shows snapshots of Jung Won's last days on earth. There is no specific and obvious coherence to the sequence of events; there is not much of a narrative; instead, the reader is left with these short moments of Jung Won's life to piece together a story by him or herself.
To make myself more clear... As I watched the film, I kept waiting for things to be explained -- What significance did that short-haired woman (obsessed with the appearance of her hair) have? Why was the girl's photos so urgent? What was going to happen to Jung Won and his old love? But soon, I realized I wasn't being handed a story, but a life. And a life isn't a coherent flow of events, but a series of random yet interwoven elements.
I think everyone watching this film noticed the slow, even lagging pace of the film. I'm sure many people thought it boring and tedious; and I was tempted to. But I took a leaf out of Jung Wong's own personality and tried to take it the best way I could; the lags and pauses, I decided, were giving me the time I needed to piece together the seemingly unconnected events and persons of the film and to interpret them. Why didn't Jung Won tell Darim he was going to die? I think there is no one right answer to that question; what is important is that the viewer make a conscious effort to answer that question.
Finally, I thought the sharing-umbrella scene was adorable. ^^
This film is simply about a man who prepares for his death due to an incurable disease, and at the same time, cherishing his love in his heart. If the genre of this movie is an ordinary melodrama, then there is nothing special about this film, or even, could be classified as a "B-movie". However, the use of "restrained emotion" in this film is what it makes it very significant compared to other melodrama movies. This could be understood by the fact that there were no scenes where Jung-won and Darim kissed or even make love, but the audience could feel that inexplicable passion of love existing between them throughout the movie. Also, an appropriate camera work contributed to this uniqueness. The director utilized the camera in a way so that the actors looked like as if they were in their little ordinaries of life and not actually "acting" by the use of restrained emotion. Moreover, charades technique was also used to let the audience read the characters' minds and kindly offer furtive smiles throughout the movie. What also needs to be focused about this film is that normally in melodrama movies, after having the first date, we expect that couple to end up at a dark alley kissing each other or at some place having sexual intercourse. However in "Christmas in August", absurdly, none of these expected scenes occur after Jung-won and Darim enjoy their running at a school playground and going to the public bath. And this is the part where we can recognize the director's calculated use of restrained emotion concretely.
ReplyDelete+This could be a little out of topic but one of the things that was interesting about this film was the character of Jung-won as a photographer, whose job is to place moving things in front of the camera lens and make them stand still. As soon as the shutter is pressed, the images captured by the lens are taken out from the endlessly changing world and transferred into the suspended tranquil world. However, Darim's job is to move out the cars that are parked at no-parking areas, that is, she makes things move that are standing still. I guess these two contrary aspects add more flavor to the completion of this movie.
Illustrating one man’s life facing death from illness, the director Hur Jin-ho successfully conveys the emotions Jung-one experiences as he accepts his death gradually throughout the film; the smallest things in life is translated into important parts in life of a man who is wrapping up the short journey. One of the powerful scene which genuinely depicted Jung-one’s emotions facing inevitable death was the scene with his father and the remote control. As witty as it might seem, the frustration occurring in Jung-one’s attempt to teach his father how to use the remote control to the television is distressing. An additional scene which demonstrated similar task was at the police station; Jung-one, being drunk, is enraged from hearing “Shut up!” It seemed like a small deal, however, it was clear that he knew there were only so many days for him to speak. The scene showed the emotions of a dying man realistically through unimportant matter living people take for granted. The film not only succeeds in giving death-faced emotions for the viewers but also in portraying symbolism to subtly illustrate Jung-one’s hardship. Photograph, being one of the motifs in the film, plays an important role in suggesting Jung-one’s will; Jung-one, like the photographs he took, wants to remain immortal in such events in life to remember. Second symbolism is depicted through the camera technique: filming between windows. Throughout the film, we are constantly watching through the window and behind a glass wall, whether we’re seeing Jung-one or Da-rim. This seems to symbolize the unfortunate existence of barrier Jung-one sets for the sake of his lover; he did not want to hurt Da-rim by giving his love fully. The last view of Da-rim Jung-one experiences is also through a glass wall; as he touches her like a silhouette in a distance, he speaks his last words and Da-rim, in Jung-one’s wall, remains eternal like the photograph on his shop.
ReplyDeleteThe camera shop portrays Darim and Jung-won’s love in the film, Christmas in August. Their first meet starts at the photo shop and most of their memories take place at the photo shop. After Jung-won passes away, the photo shop represents their eternal love of Jung-won and Darim by Jung-won, right before his death, placing the black and white picture on the display. The photo shows that human being cannot physically live forever, but then the photo can live longer than the actual human being. Symbolically, the photo does not only last longer in the presence but it also represents the eternal love. Even though Jung-won and Darim are not physically together, their spirit of love remains eternally in the photo shop. It was interesting to see the development in Korean melodrama films, and how they used symbolic meaning in order to deliver the message.
ReplyDeleteChristmas in August falls under the category of romance and drama. However, it does not encompass some of qualities that is typical of a "romance" and "drama" film in that JungWu and Darim's relationship is never fully developed and the drama of JungWu's illness is subtly incorporated into the film just enough for the audience to know that he was terminally ill. What's interesting about JungWu's character is that he shows no sign of being sick (other than the scene where he is taken to the hospital). Just by examining his character alone, he seems to be a very jovial person, always smiling, and a fairly positive person. However, as the film progresses we see that he is actually internally dealing with his illness-this is especially demonstrated in the scene where JungWu is teaching his father to use the remote. Although it seems as if Jungwu is frustrated over the fact that his father is not able to work the remote, we see in the following scene (when he writes down instructions on how to use the remote) that his anger perhaps stems from sadness and frustration over the fact that if Jungwu dies, his father will not be able to watch tv since Jungwu will no longer be there to help him with the remote. Instances like these illustrate that Jungwu is actually worried/scared about dying and that the jovial character he puts on is only a facade.
ReplyDeleteChristmas in August falls under the category of romance and drama. However, it does not encompass some of qualities that is typical of a "romance" and "drama" film in that JungWu and Darim's relationship is never fully developed and the drama of JungWu's illness is subtly incorporated into the film just enough for the audience to know that he was terminally ill. What's interesting about JungWu's character is that he shows no sign of being sick (other than the scene where he is taken to the hospital). Just by examining his character alone, he seems to be a very jovial person, always smiling, and a fairly positive person. However, as the film progresses we see that he is actually internally dealing with his illness-this is especially demonstrated in the scene where JungWu is teaching his father to use the remote. Although it seems as if Jungwu is frustrated over the fact that his father is not able to work the remote, we see in the following scene (when he writes down instructions on how to use the remote) that his anger perhaps stems from sadness and frustration over the fact that if Jungwu dies, his father will not be able to watch tv since Jungwu will no longer be there to help him with the remote. Furthermore, Jungwu's life seems to be driven by the fact that he knows that his days are limited. The fact that he is a photographer alone seems to reflect his desire to make moments and memories stand still so that he can soak everything up before he dies. Additionally, we see Jungwu participate in some childlike activities (climbing into bed with his father while it's thundering outside, going to the theme park with Darim, and whispering/mouthing to each other through the glass window) which may reflect his desire to go back to the past and gain more time. Instances like these illustrate that Jungwu is actually worried/scared about dying and that the jovial character he puts on is only a facade to hide his true feelings about death.
ReplyDeleteChristmas in August seems like a neat movie when we consider the plot, setting, and characters. Not describing the reason for the main character’s death and ending with Daerim’s unawareness of his death gave the movie a more sentimental ending. The daily interactions of the characters that mirror those of common people, ordinary sceneries such as the elementary school and the photo studio ‘Chowon’ add simplicity to the movie. Allowing people to reminisce about past memories and also capturing a special moment in the present, photographs can be used to express sentiments. Photography has a symbolic meaning in Christmas in August because it is the connection that links Jung-Ho and Dae-Rim together. Moreover, it is used as a way to layout all the major events of Jung-Ho’s life when he is preparing for his death. Some of the major events included in the photographs he puts together are the memories of his family life, his first love, his friendships and acquaintances, and a tutorial on how to use the photo developing machine. And last but not least, a photo of Dae-Rim which the main character hangs over the studio window as an expression of passion in his sentiments towards her.
ReplyDeleteThis was a somewhat stressful movie to watch. The only real driving conflict is the knowledge that the Jung Won will not survive the film. This made a lot of the scenes depressing to watch because while the characters were depicted sharing intimate moments with each other (Jung Won with Daerim, Jung Won with his male companions), the moments were often bittersweet due to the fact that we know the fate of Jung Won. This mood is amplified by the somber score which is present throughout the movie. While the conflict is a sad one, I feel like the take home message is that everyone will die eventually so fear of dying should not hinder how you live your life. This is seen with the passing of Jung Won's friend's father, and with the grandma who has accepted her fate with her desire to get her memorial picture taken. The audience witnesses Jung Won's acceptance with one of the last scenes where he is taking his own memorial picture. While at first he seems awkward with how he wants to present himself, right before the picture is taken he is able to muster a smile, captured by a close shot of his face.
ReplyDeleteJung Woo seems like the average joe who is always working hard and has a smile on his face. This melodrama film was very subtle and peaceful throughout the movie. There were many scenes where no one said anything and just showed their actions. I felt like this was the key difference from the other movies we have seen. People used their actions and facial expressions to tell the audience how they were feeling. instead of using words. I also liked how the director used seasons to relate to the story. At first it was summer and things started to get sad when autumn came, and Jungwoo dies in the winter while it is snowing. Everthing about this movie was calm, even when Jungwoo cried it was very melo. The relationship between Jungwoo and Darim was very casual and inconspicuous. They technically were not in a relationship because they never said they loved each other or anything. They kept their emotions inside and complacent. There wasn't much talking between any two people so it was hard to show affection. Jungwoo and his father wanted to be closer, but none of them were vocal about it, which made their relationship unapproachable at the end. Darim through the rock at Jungwoo's store because she was frustrated and she wanted to finally tell him how much she loved him. After Jungwoo dies, Darim comes back to the store for one last time and walks away in the snow.
ReplyDeleteThrough out the movie, I couldn’t find any artistic aspects and the story was not interesting. Of course, Shim Eun Ha was really pretty and Han Suk Gyu’s acting was super natural. However, I got bored from the beginning to the end. There were two scenes that I liked. One was when JungWon took close-up photo of an old woman’s portrait which was for 제사. Another one was also when JungWon took picture of his own portrait after hers. Han Suk Gyu expressed well how Jung Won would feel when he took his own scroll portrait for his end of life.
ReplyDeleteAs this film leads the audience towards Jung-Won’s eventual death, I enjoy how the director gives the element of “death” a constant yet subtle presence through the duration of the movie. This plays a foreshadowing role which prepares the viewer for the inevitable future of Jung-Won; for me, since the director made the idea of death so commonplace and frequent throughout the movie, I was not taken by surprise of Jung-Won’s death in the end. The lingering existence of death in this film is reflected through scenes such as the chopping of raw fish, the ghost story Jung-Won shares with Ji Won, the memorial portraits taken of the grandma and Jung-Won himself, and even subtle dialogue such as “술먹고 죽자”. Since the director keeps the thought of death alive in the mind of the viewers, it subsequently makes death seem normal, common, and acceptable; because of this, Jung-Won’s death is twisted to seem more inevitable and natural rather than shocking and pitiful.
ReplyDelete"Christmas in August" leaves the viewer feeling that they should appreciate every moment of life. In the scenes where Jung-won, the main character, is conversing with his old love and Harim, he always smiles and laughs awkwardly after every sentence, and does not say anything hurtful or accusatory to anyone around him. When he reveals to his friend that he is terminally ill, he does it in a jovial manner; he does not allow himself to be depressed and does not expect others to pity him. He is portrayed as an unselfish person who is trying to deal with his impending death. This is evident when he refrains from getting too close to Darim so that she does not get hurt. Even at the end of the film, it is unsure whether or not she knows about his death. Accentuating the character's gentle and subtle actions and words is the lack of camera movement; most of the shots lack any camera movement at all, taking away any unnecessary complications in Jung-won's character, and encouraging the viewer to perceive him just as the gentle, kind person that he is.
ReplyDeleteThe name of the movie, "Christmas in August" embodies the theme of finding meaning in everyday life. Just as Darim and Jungwon could turn the ordinary days of August into special days that felt as good as Christmas, the story shows how a strong feeling of love and trust could be conceived through little things such as taking a walk together or having a date at an amusement park.
ReplyDeleteOverall, the movie seemed very moderate, in that there were no shocking or overly sentimental themes. Moreover, there weren't much camera movement, and thus many of the scenes seemed to be photographic, in that the camera was pretty much still. Also, it felt as though the scenes were abstaining from showing too much, just as Jungwon was trying not to reveal his emotions too much.
Even though this was a sad movie, it did not feel as though it was overflowing with emotions. This movie mainly consisted of subtle feelings, such as sweet love, anticipation, trust, satisfaction, and other pleasing and sometimes saddening emotions. There were no extreme emotions portrayed here, such as an explosion of anger.
When I was first watching the movie and I found out that Jungwoo was going to die I was sad. Sad because it seemed like things were actually starting to come together for him with Darim. Then as time went on I felt even more sad and uncomfortable watching becasue I knew what the other characters didn't about Jungwoo's inevitable death. I wished that the movie would go faster and I could be done or at least at the climax of the film when (in my mind at the time) Jungwoo and Darim would finally tell each other everything. I think the way I felt is exactly what the director wanted to cause with the pace set in the movie by the scene changing and cutting. The director wanted us to feel the anxiety and pain (in what ever small way) that Jungwoo felt knowing the secret of his illness and yet wanting to enjoy everything before his time in life was up.
ReplyDeleteThis movie featured a very unique camera angle placements frequently using reflections as a way to capture the character's image. Also, we see through the glass at many times during the film and it gave us these different perspectives from looking inside Jung Woo's store, and then the rest of the world outside. Christmas in August was definitely a movie that (like many other Korean movies) made me feel like crap. Since the beginning we knew of Jung Woo's strengthening illness and could only assume he would die by the end. One of the hints that I liked that the director showed was after he had taken a picture with his friends and was cleaning dishes in the kitchen. The 6 cups represented him and his friends and while 5 of them were face down, one was face up. This symbolized Jung Woo and his impending death. The last picture that Jung Woo takes of himself really allows the viewers to understand how hard it is to have accepted death but continue to live happy lives and this is shown by Jung Woo smiling at the last second. The director allowed us to see that although Jung Woo had died, his love for Darim was never-ending and captured in a photograph.
ReplyDeleteThis film uses repititions of certain objects and sounds in order to produce meaning. These symbols can sometimes come in hidden or obscure form. For instance, I got the impression of food as being used as a meaning for life, happiness, memories, and contentment. In the beginning, we see Jung-Won and his sister eating watermelons. While eating the watermelons together, the siblings laugh and talk in light conversation about Jung-Won's old crush Ji-Won. Furthermore, when Jung-Won meets his friend and eats sushi, they sit and reminisce light-heartedly about the past and past crushes. At one point, Darim and Jung-Won eat dried squid and beer together in Jung-Won's store. While eating, they talk lightly of what they usually do on weekends and what happens when they have free time. Lastly, we see Jung-Won in the hospital room when he is sick. Here, he so longs to hold onto the love, happiness, memories, and life which can be, as mentioned, represented through food in the film. Even though he has no appetite, he forces himself to eat more of the food in front of him, trying to hold onto it all. In addition to the food, the ticking sounds in the film is a great representation of the short time Jung-Won has left. Often when we find Jung-Won in his store, we see the clock moving side to side and clearly hear the incessant ticking. Director Hur Jin-Ho may also be telling his audience about the shortness of life and our chance to make the best of it while we still can.
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ReplyDeleteThough sweetly melodramatic in a very refined sense, the essence of “Christmas in August” is acutely aware of tangible and intangible barriers common to life. These barriers may be the consequences of compressed history, limited geographical space, and a preordained, though not agreed upon, future; all of which are unique to Korea; yet they are also universal barriers. Jung-won’s former sweetheart tried so hard to run away from the geographical and social limits placed upon her life – and yet she failed, finding only an abusive husband. The gates separating death from life, love from practicality, and different generations from one another in this film signify the borders that place limits on Jung-won’s life. Although Jung-won disagrees when his former sweetheart asks him, “Aren’t you bored with this town? You’ve been here for over twenty years,” in his extremely drunken state at the police station, he cries, “Why should I be quiet!?” A suffocating disquiet torments Jung-won. Jung-won knows from the beginning that he will die before his love for Darim can be realized. Jung-won’s primary school symbolizes his wish to return to former hopes and dreams. Even as he enjoys operating his photo store, he knows that his pictures will fade away in the end. Upon failing to teach his father how to use the remote control, Jung-won panics as he realizes he must leave his father to a world that no longer belongs to his father’s generation. Every beginning must have an end; and in waiting for that end Jung-won is suffocated by barriers. Windows have a very important symbolic role; the characters can see through a window, clean windows, blur windows with water; but the characters can never pass through the windows. Darim’s attempt to pass through by breaking a window proves futile. The scene in which Darim and Jung-won walk under one umbrella together uses deep space to depict the two walking increasingly towards the camera, ending with an extreme close-up. This scene signifies the fact that until we truly see their lives up close, they seem to be just two normal people out for a walk. And yet the audience knows that their lives are individually so precious, so complex. Even as limits and barriers pervade, there does seem to be a worthy meaning to life; Jung-won’s smile at the very last moment is captured by the camera.
ReplyDeleteThis film focused on the ideas of imprisonment and isolation. Jung-woo begins the film as a seemingly normal man until bit by bit it becomes clear he has a terminal illness. due to his situation his day-to-day life takes on a whole new weight. in one scene even the mundane act of clipping his toenails appears to be a herculean effort, and he ends up laying on the floor in tears. characters are separated from one another in various ways: through the glass of the storefront, through an alcoholic haze, and most prominently, through the lens of a camera. (the director references himself in making Jung-woo a photographer.) in the scene where the old woman has her portrait taken, she is separated from her family and the photographer by the camera's lens; yet, a sort of bare, poignant, sad honesty shows through in the shot. separated from contact with others, the camera takes on a sort of voyeuristic perspective, providing a rare view of the characters in their most solitary and honest moments.
ReplyDeleteto add to my previous comment, i found striking the scene where jung-woo is looking at his photo album in his shop while the lights of passing vehicles go past the window. it seemed to represent that life, and the world, were passing him by. and indeed they do, as he cannot forge a deeper relationship with darim and chooses to ignore her letter. instead he chooses to cherish the memories in still-life, preserved like the photographs he takes.
ReplyDeleteThe film depicts Jung-won’s struggle to accept his inevitable death. He tries to keep a hold on his past by reminiscing with his friends and having a routine of spending time with them like “old times” to deny that things will change. He also does child-like things like going to a playground to use the pull up bars, running through the school, going to an amusement park to try and reach out to the past.
ReplyDeleteSo when change starts to happen, he becomes vulnerable. After he sees his (possibly) ex, Ji-won (name?), he sheds a tear at home because she asks him to put away the picture of her on display. He asks her to put away their past and let it wash away as he was washing her away when she was behind the window that he was washing. The dark feeling of passing time and dark shadow over his past is depicted by the looming darkness over the school, his past, his youth.
He also tries to ease the fear of death by laughing at it: he laughs at it when his friend thinks he’s lying about his death and he makes a joke about farting and death. He states that death is natural like liking girls is natural and that it’s a part of life and nature to be attracted to girls and to die. However the fear of death has reduced him into a child, like when he was afraid of the thunder he slept next to his father as a child would.
The cycle and passing of time is repeatedly referred to. After the thunder storm, the looming tick tock of the clock is heard, signifying the daunting passing of time. And later it strikes the hours before his death. Also, the seasons change from spring to winter from the beginning to the end of the movie, another cycle. And at the end, the man is looking through the window and sees a grandmother and a child walking out of a store, the beginning of life and the end of life. However, he tells the girl that although love fades like a photograph, it was different with her. So although some love fades, some don’t and can outlast time.
Most of the shot in “Christmas in August” has a freeze frame shots. This filming technique demonstrates is hopeless but unforgettable thing in life. The movie ends with JungWon’s death, and Darim and JungWon’s love for each other are dwelling in their mind. Before I watched this movie, I do not understand the title. No one can defend that Christmas is on August. But I think that the movie use Christmas as snow, not Christmas day. After JungWon’s death, the roads are full of snow and everyone’s footprints leave on snow. This means that JungWon and Darim are snow and their love represents as footprints, so their love stays at each other.
ReplyDeletePlus, the picture represents as love, but not general definition of love. Their love is remaining as memory. People usually take the picture not only they like to take it but also they want to remember the moment, and I think this reason relates to the director’s thought about love. The last scene plays the pictures about their portraits. Darim was angry at JungWon until she sees her picture at his studio. She knows that even though he did not say anything, they are looking at same point. Therefore, this movie brings me a great impression on JungWon’s love that he makes his death as ’ beautiful death’ because the time when he was talking about army story, riding on motor scoter, and eating ice creme were the most memorable and fresh moment.
In Linda William's "Film Bodies" article she emphasizes that from the genres of "pornography, horror and melodrama" spectators derive pleasure. However she does not address the long-term effects of (residual) fear provided by horror films. I have read an article using case studies in which grown-ups can still recall watching certain "scary" movies from which the initial impact of fear was so profound that certain plots or visual details in those movies have stayed with them until their adult life. Moreover, these adults do not recall the movies or the fear in a positive manner. Hence I conlcude that horror films do not always pleasure the audience and instead may unintentionally engrain lasting fear in people's lives. (Anny Wong)
ReplyDelete“Christmas in August” was different than the other movies we’ve been watching in class because it had a very solemn and mellow tone to it. The beginning of the movie somewhat showed the audience the vibe of what the rest of the movie was going to be about. It shows him waking up to the noises of some ceremony for the new school president and it also shows him going to the hospital. At first, the main character doesn’t say a word and instead, the film tries to show the audience what kind of person he is. By this time I already had a sense of his character and that he was very kind and considerate. This movie showed his everyday lifestyle and what he was constantly doing before he passed away. Most of the movie had to do with him, his camera shop, the girl, family and friends. I also noticed that there was not too much talking throughout the movie and it was more concentrated on the music and scenes of the characters being silent. I also noticed that during some of the scenes, there are background characters and this somewhat symbolizes things that the main character wants but cannot have because his life is being cut short. For example, when they are at Seoul Land, there is a wedding going on in the background. Also, it shows his high school sweetheart in the movie and she already has a family and he cannot have one because he is dying.
ReplyDeleteI felt some of the scenes in the movie "Christmas in August" were either meant to be how they are for a reason or if the director just made a mistake. For example, when Junwon is eating watermelon with his sister and they both end up spitting the seeds out the door, it would of been more effective to show how close they were if the scene ended after they laughed. Instead the scene ended with a awkward silence between the two siblings. This made me wonder if their relationship has gotten awkward because of his illness, or are they trying to become closer now that he knows his days are numbered. Also, I felt that the director let the audience know what was on his mind even though he did not say a word. After Jungwon and Darim were rides at the amusement park, Jungwon was alone on the bench waiting for Darim to return, on that scene Jungwon is positioned more to the left so that the audience can see the family on the right. I believe that was to indicate that Jungwon was wondering if he could start a family with Darim. Then as Darim comes back and hands him a drink because he was feeling dizzy, the audience is able to tell how touched he is by this and see a couple still in their wedding clothes come in between the two characters in the background. I feel like other than the scene with his sister eating watermelon were pretty well done. When he stole a cigarette from his father and the angle that the camera was in let the audience know that he has already come to accept death also by him smoking indicates this as well.
ReplyDelete"Christmas in August" is centered around Jungwon, who lives a time-limited life. The fact that he runs a photo studio is quite fitting to his situation. He finds that every moment and especially his love will just turn into another memory like the photos he has. Jungwon realizes a depressing fact that everybody is eventually going to die through the hardship of loss of his mother at an early age. The amount of attachment he makes with people are somewhat limited as he develops an ability to put those memories aside like the photo album on his shelf. Darim asks Jungwon, "Why do you always smile when you look at me?". This is not only because of the attraction Jungwon feels toward Darim, but also a way to keep himself happy. Jungwon has a exaggerative and somewhat pretentious nature as he chuckles and laughs quite often, hiding dark and depressed side of him. When Jungwon is crying in his room, silencing himself with a pillow, the audience can guess that this isn't the first time Jungwon is doing this. In order to overcome his depression, he supresses this feeling constantly. When Jungwon is hospitalized, his sister asks him, "Is there anyone you want to see?", he replies, "I don't miss anybody". It is clear that he misses Darim but Jungwon doesn't want to admit or think about it and puts himself in self-denial. At the last moment, Jungwon overcomes his sorrow as he manages to put on a little smile in his last photo. Jungwon fully embraces the memory Darim as he puts up Darim's photo on display of his photo studio. In the last scene Jungwon narrates that he is able to leave with love in his heart. The love he had for Darim isn't just a memory that is put aside, but something alive since August and still is during Christmas.
ReplyDeleteIn technical terms, "Christmas in August" had a lot of blunt transitions from scene to scene. The film was slow, but sometimes I felt like I was watching a montage of snippets of scenes due to the abrupt cuts. In a way this technique made the movie seem rather realistic, capturing the spontaneous moments of the people's interactions and other events. Besides this point, I appreciated how the film emphasized the little moments in life which may later become significant to a person. It reminded us all that it's hard to realize how important something is until it is taken away from us.
ReplyDelete"Christmas in August" was a very enjoyable and relatable film. As Jung-won tries to live out his last days to their fullest, we see that (though at first it was unclear) his obsession with his past implied that he knew he had no future. The two scenes that best caught my attention were when Jung-won meets up with his friend at the park for a barbeque/potato roast and when the old woman returns to take her memorial photo. In the scene that Jung-won shares with his friends, they are all sitting in a circle around the pile of potatoes. Jung-won alone kneels outside that circle, as a spectator and not a participant. This demonstrates how Jung-won feels about himself and his role among his friends and also how he wants to savor the time he has left with them. The scenes with the grandmother who is taking her memorial portrait were particularly touching for me. The first time she is told to take her portrait, she is a little disheveled and does not seem very happy. For that picture she doesn't smile; she frowns a little. When she comes back, however, she has made herself much more presentable and is happier with the result. This, to me, implied that taking a memorial picture is like accepting that death is near. In coming back to take the picture again, the grandmother has accepted the imminence of death on her own terms and as such she is more light-hearted and smiles. When Jung-won takes his memorial portrait all by himself, I think it implied the same thing. By not sending Darim his letter and then remaining without her for the remainder of his days, he is accepting his death and the impossibility of a relationship. And by leaving her photo where his former lover's photo had been hung, he was showing Darim that he still loved her, which she recognizes and accepts at the end of the film.
ReplyDeleteThere are several aspects of this movie I do not understand. For one, the title, Christmas in August does not make much sense to me. Other than the fact that JungWu's birthday is apparently in August, we never have a scene where it is his actual birthday, or where we are brought to the conclusion it is even August. Secondly, when you are about to die, isn't your life supposed to flash before you? If thats the case, why waste time reminiscing?
ReplyDeleteFor some reason this movie reminds me of Tuesday's with Mory.
Throughout the movie, Christmas in August, Hur Jin-ho utilizes multiple shots that reflect the character through mirror images. Rather than shooting a scene directly at the character, Hur Jin-ho decided to shoot the character from an angle that shows a reflected mirror image of the chracter. One particular reflective shot was used to represent the fragile love between Jungwon and Darim. Hur Jin-ho implemented these creative angled shots (Darim's reflection from the photo shop window) in order to portray the depth of the character, particularly regarding love. This reflection of Darim on the photo shop window is a representation of herself when she is in love: happy, loved, and hopeful. As the audience, Hur Jin-ho allows us to see Darim from an outsider's perspective because only the audience can see her reflection on the photo shop window. At the end of the movie, Darim abruptly throws a rock and shatter a part of the window. The shattered glass represents her shattered reflection of the once hopeful love between her and Jungwon. Now that the window is shattered, her reflection was ruined. The representation of herself when she is in love is now: sad, angry, hopeless, and frustrated. Therefore, the shattering of the glass symbolizes the feeling of love that once existed between them.
ReplyDelete"Christmas in August" is a melodramatic movie that deals with life of Jungwon who is destined to die soon. At the scene where Jungwon happily takes another picture for the old woman for free, he gives a meaningful smile which shows that he can somehow understand the mind of people who are close to death. The fact that he will die soon keeps him from starting a new relationship but he cannot rejec Darim. He feels lonely and needs someone to rely on emotionally because people around him are not so helpful as shown in the scenes where his friend does not like to spend much time with him and his father does not even know how to turn on the TV. The fact that a camera is stationary and there is no background music for the most part of the movie enhances the mood of sadness. At the end, the scene in which Darim comes back to the studio but does not realize that Jungwon is dead evokes sympathy for Jungwon and leaves the audience with the hope that Darim finds out about Jungwon's death and crys for him.
ReplyDelete"Chritmas in August" shows how a man comes to terms with his fate and faces reality. And reality is one thing I really liked about this movie. There were some definitely noticeable awkward pauses which added some humor to the movie. When Jung-won first meets Darim and offers her ice cream, they both stand outside not knowing what to say. Jung-won simply moves around and eventually laughs. After eating watermelon with his sister, there is another awkward silence before the next scene is shown. Things like these happen everyday in our lives, yet too often aren't realized in film. Probably because today, people expect some sort of constant going ons during a movie.
ReplyDeleteOne other aspect of the movie that I found interesting were the portraits. The first girl (the one who messes with her hair) tells Jung-won to let her put her hair infront of her face. The family takes a while to get organized. The grandma wants a retake of her photo because she feels she wasn't pretty enough. Jung-won takes a retake of himself and his friends. All of these portraits show how people can't really accept things the way they are. The girl can't leave her hair the way it is. The family can't simply stand still and not fuss. The grandma can't be happy with her first picture, being worried about how she looks. Jung-won and his friends can't look happy and comfortable (like they were laughing in the potato scene) in front of the camera. Although the last portrait (that Jung-won takes of himself) turns out just right. Jung-won has come to terms with reality and what is to come. Right before the shutter goes off, he gives a natural smile.
One notable aspect of Christmas in August is the choppy cuts, especially the abrupt transitions between the photo shop, crematorium, and outside the crematorium. Another noticeable stylistic point is the almost constant use of the medium shot, or some shot between medium and close-up. The lack of long, establishing shots is somewhat unnerving. Thirdly, this film uses depth of field often. It allows the audience to focus on various elements of the picture, and be more active viewers, which helps to add complexity and spice to a somewhat shallow plotline. Throughout the film, there is a repetition of looking through lenses (camera lens, eyeglass lenses, windows). We are seeing into others’ spaces and lives through a solid material, yet it is transparent to us – for example, we know that Jung-won is sick, but other people in the film are unaware.
ReplyDeleteIn this film, Jungwon is portrayed as a happy and cheerful man, content with his life. However, his gentle smile and kind laughter serves as a front to hide his dying soul inside. Besides his family and close friends, he tells no one of his terminating illness. Ignorance is bliss. We see glimpses of his depression, and how he truly feels when he is drunk or home alone. But despite his emotions, Jungwon fights to have a positive and optimistic outlook on life. Each day, he tries his best to enjoy life. He looks back in his photo album to recall all the good times in life, and continues to make lasting memories to cherish the joys in life. As the saying goes, “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present.” We can say that ultimately, Jungwon’s memories of life (captured in his photographs) and his undying love for Darim (who came into Jungwon’s life during the month of August) are the two presents that Jungwon received on Christmas, in the month of August.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the whole movie, “Christmas in August” consistently has a relaxed mood, which Jungwon’s slow way of talking and Darim’s tender voice magnifies that atmosphere. The romance of this movie is very sweet and mild, but the reality of characters’ life behind that romance is very bitter. The contrast between the relaxed story procedure and the life of Jungwon, which might be even thought as one could hear the ticking of the clock because he is a terminally ill patient, gives a vivid effect. Though Jungwon is the one who has the illness, the fact that he never loses his smile, never flares up, and always pretty relaxed makes the audience to even think there is no actual trial for Jungwon. Jungwon’s character indeed seems very extraordinary, but actually we see many people who are facing death, already clearly know that they are soon gone, gets more gentle and laid-back. The scene of Jungwon taking his own portrait photo makes the audience even sadder by his calm attitude. The last lines of Jungwon in the movie are also calm and serene. Though his love never really flared up as a fire, actually, that calmness gives more touching feeling to the audience.
ReplyDeleteAs I was watching "Christmas in August", I was very bored by the story line which was like the other typical Korean movies. In Korea, most films or dramas are about rich guy or the poor guy, money problems, health issues, love triangle, and death. But there were interesting symbols I found which were the photo shop and the lens. The photo shop was very important because it was the place which grew Jungwon's relationship with Darim. The photo shop in the beginning of the film related to happiness because it was the place for Jungwon to socialize and forget about his health. Then later, it began to be a place which showed loneliness when Darim was looking for him and people coming in to take pictures for their own funeral. I believe the lens was also very important because it showed a lot of Jungwon's feelings toward Darim and what he can't tell her, but what we can feel and see. But I am still confused about the title of the "Christmas in August".
ReplyDeleteIn the movie 'Christmas in August", I realize that love is love even though the word is not be said.
ReplyDeleteDifferent from normal love story movie which subject matter is a time-limited life, this movie does not drag audience's emotion by certain exaggerating movie-like scenes. This movie shows us a situation that could more happen in the real world. Therefore we could agree more than other movies and feel sympathy.
The love is growing but it cannot be lasted. The scene when Jungwon touches the window and sees Darim, Jungwon's fingers pursuing Darim tells us much more meaningful things than any other speeches.
Because this movie is really realistic, people can have better concentration while they watch movie.
In the film, Christmas in August, an unusual love story unravels through the lives of two ordinary people. The developing romance between Jung-won, teh photographer and Darim, the traffic cop is not like any other love story depicted in every other romantic film. In most romance movies, there is usually such passion and emotion involved between two characters who are in love with one another. unlike the rest of these films, the romance in Christmas in August is a soft, quiet one. It actually seems like an innocent junior high romance as if they have never dated anyone prior to each other. This seems fitting for the plot. After all, Jung-won is sick with an illness taht will eventually take his life from him. Interestingly, whatever Jung-won is terminally sick with is never specifically mentioned. This shows that the point of the movie does not revolve around his illness. The real significance is seen in the relationship he has with Darim. Despite being sick, Jung-won still lives his life from day to day. He ltierally makes every moment count. He does not allow for anything to get in the way of him living his life. His character is portrayed as a fun and lighthearted person even in the midst of pain.
ReplyDeleteDirector Hur Jin-ho cleverly uses a different approach in this film to evoke emotions from the audience. He does this through Jung Won's silence showing that he has accepted his terminal illness but chooses to keep it secret from his friends and Da-rim. This silence also symbolizes how he feels torn inside from choosing this life of secrecy and this is shown in the police station scene where he constantly yells "Why should I shut up?" Director Jin-ho does a great job of creating a lot of tension throughout the film by showing how Jung Won and Da-rim are perfect for each other yet they can never be. Jin-ho does this to show the audience how delicate life is and how short it can be. This ties in with the theme that death is a natural part of life and instead of fearing it and living in agony, we should embrace it and make the best of our time like Jung Won does by hanging out with his friends, always keeping this joyous facade, and spending time with Da-rim. Another major associated theme is that love can be stronger than any illness and can even defeat death. This is evident in the scene at the end in which Da-rim looks at her photo at the shop and smiles over reminiscing about the time she shared with Jong won. It seemed as though their affection still seemed to exist even after Jung Won's departure.
ReplyDeleteThis film portrayed love as not something that was felt by physical presence on screen, but by a more sentimental leaning of how love can be a bright spot in anyone's life, no matter how difficult life may be. Like most Korean cinema, the film had a melodramatic feel. The shot of in front of the store was impressionable, because it showed the passage of time, and also let the audience know the life and death of the characters. The store represented Jungwon even though he might have not been there. When the glass was shattered, it was like the relationship was in shatters in a way as well. Typically, winter means cold and death. August is life and good luck. In Korean culture, people do not really celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday, but more of as a couple event. So having Christmas in August also gives the impression that this was about finding love in a time that was not the normal season. Just like the character's life, finding love was sort of not at the right time, but still even at a time of death, finding love was still the right thing.
ReplyDeleteThis film has a very simple story line. It was almost too simple to hardly mension; an universal theme of love that seperates the main characters. However, thinking about why Korean likes this movie alot, the simplicity of this movie was the key. A love between Darim and Jongwon might seem nothing. There was only one time, what I remember, when Jongwon tells a scary story Darim holds his arm. Besides that scene there were no physical love between them. Only the expression of their eyes, gestures explains their love by focusing on the face. The director also use glass to convey their feeling of love and sadness. For example, Jongwon's face is reflected on the glass and darim is outside of the glass. The barrior that stops him seeing her was symbolized in the glass.
ReplyDeleteThis film visualed in slow and calm way. This film shows Jung-won who lived with desperate life. While he opening his photo studio, the guests with special reason to visit such as Darim who always tired of her ordinary life, an old lady who wants take her last picture for her funeral or the boys who wants bigger version of their picture of girls. As dying person like Jungwon those people seem special but tregedy. At the last, when Jungwon dead and Darim see her picture at the Jungwon's studio in Christmas, Darim smiles at her picture because she dreams about memories with Jungwon in August.
ReplyDeleteI found the film Christmas in August to be fairly amusing although the reliance on nondiegetic romanticized piano music to illicit emotion from the audience was a little to daunting. What I want to focus on is the proximity of the camera to Jung-won in relation to the other characters of the film. It was interesting that close up shots were only used on singular characters throughout the film (particularly Jung-won) but there was almost no use of close up shots or medium close ups of Jung-won with another character (except when he is on the roller coaster with Darim). This distancing of the camera from Jung-won in the presence of other characters impies Jung-won's own distancing emotionally from the people in his life(because of his illness). The camera only gets close to Jung-won when he is alone in an attempt to bond his struggle to the audience and show that the viewers are the only ones who he will allow to understand his pain/emotional state of mind.
ReplyDelete-James Seiling
The opening scene of the film “Christmas in August” projects the character Jung-Won’s grief over his mother’s death. This very beginning scene, where it shows Jung-Won’s sorrowful countenance, immediately alludes to the viewer that this is a melodramatic film. The director of this film Hur Jin-ho uses a variety of filming techniques to reveal the longing and unworkable love between the photographer Jung-Won and the parking-attendant Darim. Hur Jin-Ho utilizes objects such as the window and nature such as rain to create such a sad, and heartrending atmosphere. The character Jung-Won continuously looks at Darim through his shop’s window, where he seeks for his love. While the viewer is looking through the lens of the camera, Jung-Won is looking through the lens of the window, which represents the barrier and separation between his relationship with Darim. Through Jung-Won’s perspective (through the window), the portrayal of Darim with the gloomy clouds pouring down rain represents the Jung-Won’s view of his life, and his world that he lives in. The film ultimately ends with Darim looking through Jung-Won’s shop window. This shop window can perhaps still be Jung-Won’s view of the world, where he displayed Darim’s picture. This may represent his desire of love towards Darim, but the continuous barrier (window) between them.
ReplyDeleteThe scense where the picture were taken symbolized a human life. First, the grandmother coming to the photo stuido with her family shows that the person live with family. And the part where she comes back to take another picture by herself shows that the death is rather personal and cannot be really helped much. The main character also takes a group picture with his friends and a picture by himself. The images of Jung Won's photo with friends and grandma's family picture are very identical and so are the solo pictures. The grandma forshadowed the death of Jung-Won.
ReplyDeleteIn this particular film, Christmas in August, Hur Jin Ho utilizes numerous foreshadowing elements and flashbacks to provide an interesting twist to the plot. For instance, the scene in which Jung Won gets drunk and goes berserk because he's told to shut up demonstrates his true inner emotions- he wants people to know about his upcoming death. In truth, he desires for other people's care and sympathy, but in reality, he cannot bring himself to do so. Another scene is the one in which the grandma takes a portrait shot of herself. This foreshadows his death later when he takes a portrait shot of himself as well. They both desire to be remembered, somehow through photos they leave in this world. A scene in which flashback's used is the one in which he focuses a shot on the tree where they first met. Jung Won reminisces those valuable times as he prepares himself for death. By utilizing these foretelling elements and flashbacks, Hur Jin Ho gives us audience anticipation to make a mere film of romance into a rather interesting one.
ReplyDeleteJong-won knew that he was going to die soon. He was the one who prepared his death calmly and quietly from summer to winter. He recollected his memory at playground. He looked old photos in a box which holded his precious memories. He kept the photo of his first love, Jung-soon and the photo and the letter of Darim in the box as well. He didn't blame anyone about his death. He was thoughtful enough to consider about people he was going to left. He wrote the manual in details for his dad how to develop the photos. He didn't tell either Jung-soon or Darim that he was going to die soon. He tried not to worry his sister. He also tried his best to take best photo for an old woman since he sympathized with her. However, on the other hand, he was afraid. It was not easy for him to accept it. He was too drunk so that he was not able to remember what happened at the police station last night. He also sobbed in his blanket. To him, Darim was "Christmas." She made him smile until the last moment. Without her, he might not able to smile when he took his photo for the funeral. Also, Darim knew that when she came back in winter.
ReplyDelete"The Christmas in August" is unlike usual movies which develops around an interesting storyline. In fact when one of my friend asked me "What's the story?" I couldn't say much. All I could say was "Its a love story of a man working in a photoshop and a girl who often visit his shop. Actually, it wasn't so much about the love either."Although in a story the main flow revolves around the love between Junh won and Darim, other seemingly unsignificant event are as noteworthy as the lovestory between the two character. I think the directer is depicting our life in this world in this world through this movie in a rather personal but also distnat perspective. In the moive the directer is showing all the segments in our everyday life including love,hate,friendship,happiness,loneliness,and joy and the significantness and the beauty of every single moments passing. This personal but distant view of life is well shown in the works of camera. Through out the movie we often see Juhn Won looking through the glass wall of the film studio, a window, or his own camera lense. This is a beautiful reflection of the main theme. Also, the fact that Juhn won in going to die soon, adds to the movie and helps us to see the life of him in a more objective and careful way.
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