Seom (2000, KOR) C-90m. **½ D: Kim Ki-duk. Starring Suh Jung, Kim Yoosuk, Park Sung-hee, Jo Jae-hyeon, Jang Hang-seon. Quiet, disturbing drama about a mute woman, who rents out swimming huts on a lake to fishermen and occasionally sells her body, too. Her latest guest is equally introvert man, who has just committed a crime. Film charts their relationship in low-key, hypnotic fashion. Symbolic, raw film is difficult to watch. First big international success for director Kim, he won the Netpac prize at the Venice film festival and was nominated for the Golden Lion. English title: THE ISLE.


© Ron Altman