In the spring of 1999, a group of old friends gather to celebrate their 20 year reunion. Among the group is Yeong-ho, a cold, unhappy man, whose demeanor puts a damper on the festivities. The seriousness of Yeong-ho's depression becomes apparent when he climbs a railroad bridge and looks like he might jump. At this crucial moment, memories of seven crucial episodes from Yeong-ho's past flood his mind.
Direction
Lee Chang-dong's reverse chronology is devastatingly precise.
Acting
Sul Kyung-gu's transformation across two decades is physically wrenching.
Writing
Each scene recontextualizes what you thought you knew.
Director
Lee Chang-dong
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The film uses South Korea's democratization movement as both backdrop and antagonist—the 'New Korean Cinema' at its most politically raw.
That opening scream and train sequence? Completely improvised. Lee Chang-dong saw the location and rebuilt his entire structure around it.
KR
