On the Border

In China, a teenage boy dreams of fulfilling his life in South Korea. The director's depiction of the boy's life and the sleepy border town he lives in gives a beautiful insight into the life and desires of people living a life on hold, hoping for "a better life in a better place."

A Korean teen and his missing father. The boy meets a woman. It's the border between a China town and the Korean. His father leaves the motorcycle store he runs, for unknown reason. Interweaving handycam-like realism and stylish, atmospheric cinematography, the film portraits the a trip of desire and unlikely companion. When you find something lost at a time, there could be a world you never knew you would pursuit otherwise.

On the Border reflects the world of the main character really well. It also beautifully examples how the political matters penetrate into the world of the characters inwardly, deeply and silently. Just like in our lives.

There is a moment in On The Border where the boy and the girl share their desire to go South Korea. His purposes are different for her is only subtle, aesthetic, for him is life. Surprising the delicate care that Wei Shujun manages the story, showing with a laconic look and silently building the routine of this young man who yearns to leave his filthy everyday life and replace it with that world full of neon lights that promises Korea. A dream that determines his life, which conditions his way of relating to others and Shujun manages to convey the weight of this desire.

This is a great film that leaves much more traces in our soul with its realistic expression, cinematography and acting management. The way to achieve his dreams is beyond the one-step further, but the challenges are much more for the young boy. The director does this in a very striking and impressive way.