by Pawel.Mizgalewicz
There are refined societal metaphors in artwork, and there’s „Concrete Utopia”, wherein the earthquake occurs proper on the finish of the opening titles, and seemingly destroys the entire Korea, if not the entire world. Complete, that’s, beside one residence advanced, which magically stays fully untouched. The entire premise of the film is that each inhabitant of the Hwang Gung advanced fortunately survived, however a bunch of different folks did as effectively – and so, they begin the primary day of the post-apocalypse and not using a dwelling, whereas the inhabitants do have one. The one dwelling on this planet. As you possibly can think about, the state of affairs will get very tense very quick, kick-starting a deeply uneasy, disturbing thriller. Inside simply minutes of the movie’s opening, we see folks combating desperately for one can of peaches. By the way in which, it is also the winter of the century outdoors, with minus 26 levels. In brief, it is certainly one of these Japanese Asian films – a bunch of individuals gathered with one message: you might be all gonna die, have enjoyable.
Concrete Utopia Will Open in New York and Los Angeles Solely In Theaters on Friday, December 8 Nationwide Beginning December 15
Primarily based on some elements of Kim Soongnyung’s webtoon “Nice Bullying”, “Concrete Utopia” may be very plot-based and thus describing the occasions would take an excessive amount of of the expertise. In a manner, it is nearly too good of an thought for a narrative: an allegory so pure and potent, you do not have so as to add something to it. The factor is, many already did, in quite a few variants, often described as following in “Lord of Flies’” footsteps. Even real-life reporting about floods and wars everywhere in the world typically confirms the psychological truths that Um Tae-hwa hits us within the face with. In a single second, all established order of civilized society is erased. The “worth” folks had yesterday does not matter, as some very totally different private attributes turn out to be key. Chaos ensues, however folks shortly notice they want some sort of priorities, they want to decide on whom to belief, they want somebody to make selections, and decide to the selections in an organized group. In face of imminent dying from starvation and chilly, folks really feel all of the strain to do that shortly, propelling the drama.
A sort of “Hwang Gung society” arises from the scratch, and the way in which all of it develops is so unsettling, exactly as a result of it feels so life like. The most typical thought when watching “Utopia” is that if such a factor truly occurred, that is precisely how folks would act. We set free a chuckle of snort, however one which shortly sticks in our throat. These are certainly some sensible and sober observations about humanity – and, boy, are they not nice to see.
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What “Utopia” excels at, although, is protecting the human ethical dilemma on the heart of it. Not like many such tales, it is not performed with a straight face in any respect. Nobody commits to the bit. We are able to actually see the confusion on the characters’ faces, and the ache of doing what they know is dangerous, however simply appears to be the one option to survive in the mean time. There isn’t a pleasure in overpowering others in an advanced sport of negotiating who will get what, and nobody is allowed to be guilt-free. There is not plenty of outward violence within the film, however in a manner, it is nothing however violence, on a regular basis: most of “Utopia’s” motion is a few sort of play on concern, danger, hope and resignation, equity and guilt, utility and morality, making an attempt to make a correct impression on others whereas additionally nervously watching your again. It is stuffed with heart-breakingly sincere, fleeting human expressions. The face once you notice you misplaced your probability. The face once you attempt to pose altruism and conceal how a lot you solely care about your personal pores and skin proper now. The face when one thing is appalling you, and also you strive work out in amok in case your opinion is common within the group or not. The dialogue is stored easy, which inserts the naturalistic method: you do not count on these folks to provide you with nice strains. It feels precisely proper and precisely incorrect when one of many survivors sees a corpse and solely manages to resentfully remark: “he appreciated to speak huge… now he is lifeless!”. It is that crude for a motive, and it would shatter your soul. However visually, due to the stated faces, it is a story about dignity and honor: someway, all folks lose these equally when one aspect is cruel and the opposite begs for mercy.
The primary character we see within the film is Min-seong (Park Search engine optimisation-joon), who largely stands in as a confused everyman caught between two predominant figures of a lot stronger conviction. His spouse (Park Bo-young) needs to assist others regardless of the price. In the meantime his rising chief (Lee Byung-hun, as soon as once more sweeping all of the Korean awards) declares that on this state of affairs, there is no such thing as a good and dangerous anymore… there’s solely Hwang Gung. The selection between the 2 ideologies is clearly the movie’s predominant theme. “Concrete Utopia” does loads to humanize those that commit probably the most devilish acts, so the conundrum stays an emotional, mental and ethical problem to the viewers. It is simply laborious to disclaim the arguments of either side. The movie does appear to make a stand at occasions, however general is unflinching in presenting proof that any method seen right here could be questioned. Finally, Lee’s character is by far probably the most fleshed-out, with motives and backstory which might be difficult on many ranges – together with, after all (we’re watching a Korean societal drama), class and poverty. Does he achieve dignity by all of it, or lose it? That is one thing that solely the viewer can reply, and Yeong-tak will probably be remembered as one of many traditional characters in all of Korean cinema.
Whereas Um Tae-hwa managed to provide the commercial staff some materials with just a few huge CGI earthquake scenes, “Concrete Utopia” is general aesthetically bleak, if not boring. The green-screen vistas of destroy are largely unmemorable, and the inexpressive lighting invitations you to only give attention to the actors and the story. It appears partly intentional, particularly because the film’s one extremely stylized scene appears to be a parody of propaganda movies. The director may be simply following the well-known Adorno quote that “poetry after Auschwitz is barbaric”, as “Utopia” would positively be a bit totally different expertise if it seemed fairly. However alternatively, perhaps in administration of one other director, and with extra funds, the story may turn out to be much more partaking. Born in 1980, Um remains to be seen as an up-and-coming director, and after “Utopia’s” gigantic success, will now actually get far more probabilities to indicate us his type. The way in which it’s, the movie’s tone-deaf technical execution can get a bit tiring. And but, to dwell on it an excessive amount of and to ask the director for aptitude looks like going in opposition to the movie’s message. Not each film must be “Kids of Males” and dazzle with the cinematography a lot that the that means turns into laborious to learn. We are able to maybe simply let the story shine.
“Concrete Utopia” is Korea’s candidate for Worldwide Movie Oscar, and after the unbelievable successes of “Parasite” and “Squid Sport”, it is tempting to say that the nation has discovered its favourite kind of story. The similarities are laborious to disclaim, and in a manner that takes some edge off the idea that might be extra revolting just a few years in the past. It’s one other story targeted on displaying us what folks will do when determined, and with related vibe of concern about poor people positioned in a nihilistic plot. However due to a powerful central character and really clear predominant theme, “Utopia” ought to stand out by itself even within the discipline of these hits. It is nonetheless a tear-jerking, soul-jerking shocker, with some of the highly effective remaining sentences in latest reminiscence (effectively, technically, it is the penultimate sentence, however you will not miss the affect). If that is to turn out to be Korea’s specialty, then the nation’s tradition has one other declare to world fame.
