Monday, September 16, 2013

Madame Freedom : Thinly Veiled Patriarchy


This movie felt glossy compared to O’balthan. It felt a bit like a #richpeopleproblems answer it. Both had their share of death and melodramatic relationship. Exploited quite differently but still very prevalent. This movie does speak of some financial problem; despite that Madame Oh has the luxury of several fine looking Haenbok. She has to luxury of time to attend dinners with the other rich wives. Several questions popped in my mind when Mr.Park . It is to wonder if the Director did not want to give off the idea that women are akin to children, in terms of liberties given. These women took their destiny into their own hands however; much like children when afforded too much too soon they’re crash and burn. Instead of being the doting woman she used to be, she becomes vapid and self-centered. Madam Oh became the girlfriend of a married man, neglected her son and was about to sleep with another man. She went from having to ask her husband for permission to get a job to begging her husband to take her back at the end of the movie. 

Yun Ji who partook in all the activities judged as “masculine” deceived her friends, swindled them and ultimately shamed herself, whereas Mr. Park is the author trying to profess that idea? Can Yun Ji’s suicide be seen as an example of her rebellion against the patriarchal system? She had been shamed and it was a simple question time before her friends found out. Was her suicide act defiance against the system? Also, considering the Director’s dabbling in propaganda movies, I feel as though a lot of elements were not used by chance. This movie presents quite bleakly how patriarchy reacts and perceives the change occurring due to the war. It seems to acknowledge its flaws and wrong doings, however offers no actual solution to remediate the problem.

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