Jo Pil-seong, a rural detective with a gambling addiction, is on the brink of losing his job when he has his gambling winnings stolen by an escapee convict. Jo Pil-seong sets out to catch the fugitive and retain his money and dignity.
Acting
Kim Yun-seok's sweaty, desperate performance is physically exhausting to watch.
Direction
Lee Yeon-woo finds bleak comedy in every humiliation.
Writing
The title's turtle metaphor pays off beautifully by the end.
Director
Lee Yeon-woo
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Kim Yun-seok gained 15kg and rarely showered during filming to capture Pil-seong's physical decay.
The film flopped commercially but cemented Kim's reputation as Korea's most fearless character actor — he'd win Best Actor at Cannes just three years later for The Yellow Sea.
KR
