Sopyonje

One of the very best films to come out of South Korea. SOPYONJE tells the tale of pansori singers trying to survive in a world that no longer cares about them. The plight of the pansori singers is an allegory for traditional South Korea, a country being overrun by modernization and the Western world in the aftermath of World War II.

The film's soundtrack alone is worth watching. I've never heard such haunting and beautiful singing in my life. Truly, a masterpiece that deserves to be remembered.

10 out of 10

(go to www.nixflix.com for a more detailed review of this film and reviews of other foreign movies)

Every time you look at this wonderful movie, be sure not to be disturbed by anything or by anyone. Especially if you are looking for the first time! In this case, it may be you find it boring for a short while, but don't you dare to give up! You must realize that the "slow motion" of this movie and the long silences are exactly some of the characteristics that make it one of the most wonderful movies I ever saw. You WILL find extraordinary contrasts at certain times. IN ANY CASE, KEEP CONCENTRATED AND CONTINUE LOOKING TILL THE VERY END!! You will not regret! I am a man, 55 years old, father of two big boys, and I am not ashamed to say that every time I look at this movie a few tears run over my cheeks... Thank you so much, I'm Kwon Taek !

The story, not bad in itself, is not the main point. The music is. The main characters - a father and his daughter and son - are all folk music performers, and the musical numbers, dispersed throughout the film, make up an integral part of the film. It is not easily accessible for those used to the ordinary Hollywood stuff, but well worth the time if the musical genre presented - pansori - a form of Korean folk music, and actually the main character of the picture - appeals to you. Those who don't like the music will probably be very bored and should not waste their time on this. I loved it, but I know people who would fall asleep fast if they tried to see this.

Sopyonje deals with a a cultural music called Pansori. Until I saw this film I knew nothing about it, but now I appreciate its Beauty and History. If you are looking for a movie that talks greatly about Korean Culture, this is it.

I truly believe that this is the best film ever made in Korea until this date (1999). But it may be too difficult to grasp the film's true beauty for most Westerners who are foreign to Korean "chang" which is traditional Korean folk singing.