Breathless

'Breathless' revolves around the life of an abusive debt-collector named Sang-Hoon, an isolated and hateful person. Having lost his sister and mother at a very young age, due to accidents relating to domestic abuse, he is eternally angry on his father and fate. His despise for the people who can't stand up for themselves (stemming from witnessing his helpless mother) makes him even more violent towards his debtors. His attitude towards people and life starts changing after he bumps into a high school girl named Yeon-Hue. Being a father figure to his divorced half-sister's nephew Yeong-in, and his affection for Yeon-Hue brings out the compassionate side in him. But, as most times, cruelty has a price to pay...

This inspiring film marks the Writing & Directorial debut of talented actor Yang Ik-Joon, who stars as the lead as well. The passionate camera-work by Yun Jong-ho follows the characters in an intriguing way, using which the Director tells a compelling story about violence and abuse, interspersed with moments of humour and warmth. All the main characters are developed quite well, and are given proper depth and screen presence. All the actors involved give commendable performances.

The movie is as visceral as the punches thrown by the characters in this hard-hitting drama; it's a thought-provoking tale on the cycle of violence.

Sang Hoon is the protagonist of this film, he is deeply affected by his past due to his fathers domestic abuse which in turn lead to his mother and sisters death. The film, at first, has a dark comedy feel to it, mainly due to Sang Hoons constant cursing and random outbursts of violence. Sang Hoon literally beats people up to live, in more than one sense. Sang Hoon meets Yeon-Hue, a high schooler, when he spits on her uniform, Sang Hoon was surprised when Yeon-Hue called him back and stood up for herself, likely due to his experiences with domestic abuse.

Sang Hoon and Yeon-Hue spend more and more time with each other, as she gets to know Sang Hoon she grows to think of him as a father, her desire for a father figure likely comes from her own father being mentally ill and you guessed it, violent.

I really don't want write more about this wonderful film, I really encourage you to watch it for yourselves. If i could compare it to another film it would be American History X as the story lines are very similar, so much so that i got a little deja vu.

Breathless is a bleak, relentless and emotionally raw movie from South Korea. An uncompromising look at the violent underbelly of a section of poverty ridden urban South Korea, Breathless is the directorial debut of lead man and scriptwriter Yang Ik-joon, and has rightly been bestowed with a healthy array of awards.

As the films pace allows layers to build and relationship dynamics to be understood and interwoven, nausea and discomfort evolves into empathy and worry, characters you are sure are irredeemable surprise you. The shaky documentary style photography adds to the grittiness and rawness.

Breathless is stark, dark and uncompromising. Well directed and with expertly judged emotional performances, this film has dared to expose the terrible unbreakable cycle of violence in an apparently progressive and evolved society. JM

Let me start by saying that this piece of art took me by surprise. I didn't feel that I was watching a movie, Instead the acting was so realistic that I felt I was part of it. Please watch this movie and feel the greatness of Asian Cinema. It is also a tearjerker!!!! This can be a very sad film as well. I doubt if I've ever watched this without a few tears in my eyes at certain points.

PS: I would like to recommend this to every movie buff who admire Asian Cinema.

"In this life, it's not what you hope for, it's not what you deserve -- it's what you take."

Thank you

Out of the ten or so films I have seen so far at this years Sydney Film Festival this one effected me the most. I shed a few tears by the films end and was thinking about it for days afterward.

It's a heck of a debut from Yang Ik Joon who wrote, directed, produced and takes the lead role as well.

Joon plays a small time hood/debt collector who doesn't mess about with customers who owe money. No one is safe it seems from his fists or his foul mouth, not even his nephew. A chance meeting with a high school student results in an unlikely friendship. We learn more about both characters as the film builds momentum. Suffice to say that their main link is both being exposed to domestic violence.

Joon fleshes out the story and gives all characters a chance to shine. The acting is first rate as is the screenplay which apparently is autobiographical.

Anyone easily upset by violence or profanity would be well advised to give this one a miss.

I hope it finds an audience and gets a wide release. I certainly look forward to more films in the future from this exciting young director/writer/actor.