Colours. Finally.

Perhaps because this is the first coloured film that we have watched thus far, I was totally caught up with the use of colour in the film. The use of black-and-white narrative in the film, I felt, functions to highlight and heighten the effects of the use of colour. Addition of colour to films brings not only aesthetic values and increased realism, but also increased potential to use it as strong motifs and symbols. I think the director uses black-and-white to narrate Jeon Tae-Il's story, not only to make a distinction and make parallel with the story of Kim Yong-Su, but also to draw attention to the kinds of colours he uses. 

In our readings, Kim says that despite the use of alternating black-and-white sequences and coloured sequences, "the stark visual contrast between the two time periods does not signify any change in the political mood." Indeed, there is not much difference in the working conditions at the sweatshops and activists for labour rights (e.g. Yong-Su) are still oppressed. However, I think the use of alternating sequences draw attention to the subtle, but significant changes that have occurred since Jeon’s narrative. 

Green, perhaps symbolizing hope and growth, is very noticeable in stark contrast to the generally grey and grim mood of the entire film. 

 Also, when Kim Yong-Su and another activist is talking about Jeon's martyrdom and the state of society under Park, we see a panning of (presumably) Kyung-Hwe-Ru, the pond/artificial lake in Kyung-Bok Palace, in its green splendor. 

 

Although there is definitely scenes of nature in Jeon's story as well, they are perceived quite differently as it seems more ominous than promising in its greyness.

The grim and grey nature of the society in Kim’s narrative is portrayed through the consistent use of bluish hue. I didn't quite understand why everything was always blue. Perhaps it is indeed to create a mysterious, grim mood? Perhaps it's to show that it is not 'red', that the ideology and the values of these men were not communist as they were labelled by the government at the time?

On that note, red is very scarcely used in the film. Maybe because it is such a sensitive colour given the time period, as it was the colour of communists, but most likely to draw attention to and emphasize the “single spark”:

Especially in the last sequences of Jeon's immolation, the transformation of black-and-white flame in Jeon's story is blown into 'life' and made much more instigative in Kim's time through his narrative in the biography.