SCHED: SF International Film Fest '08

Links: Event Details/ Who's going | Original Source
About: Half lush historical drama, half mind-bending detective story, this elaborate murder mystery set during Korea's Chosun era is a tour de force of cinematic entertainment, a non-stop thrill ride full of plot twists, intrigue and power struggles, screaming victims, nail-biting escapes and gruesome acts of torture. And for those who want visual splendor with their thrillers, the film delivers cascades of opulence, with beautiful women in elaborately ornate costumes and art direction so exquisite, so precise in its attention to historical detail that the film could easily be savored for its look alone. Within the rigidly controlled court society, maids live and work as virtual prisoners in the palace of the emperor, fearing severe punishment for any false step. After one of the maids found hanging in her room is officially declared a suicide, a female court doctor, Chun-ryung, discovers clues that instead suggest murder. Her superiors warn her not to meddle in palace affairs, but she decides to investigate on her own anyway, uncovering a tangled web of murder and deception, and an ugly battle for power and position extending all the way to the barren queen and an imperial concubine, who seemingly has borne a son. In search of a murderer, Chun-ryung accidentally exposes the harsh reality of court life: Court maids-the shadows of the palace-are not the only ones who must live in constant fear for their standing and their lives.-Beverly Berning North American Premiere. Sponsored by KTSF Channel 26.
Also playing on: Fri 5/2, 7:00 pm | Mon 5/5, 4:15 pm
Tags: new directors