Madame Freedom

Depicting the post-war life and illicit actions of a Korean housewife the film ‘Madame Freedom’ (1965) shocked audience and critiques but at the same time became a huge box office success (KOFA). The story tells how Madame So-young Oh breaks out of her domesticated role as a housewife to take on a job where she works as a salesperson for a store selling luxury products. The controversy is not from her work but happens as a consequence of her work and her newly aquired freedoms outside the home. Provided by the nanny, she can roam town and engage in activities she was not able to earlier, such as women’s groups, coffee shops and dance clubs. This newly acquired freedom exposes her to vices that she wouldn't have encountered if she was not allowed outside the domestic sphere.

Considering the apparent actions of Madame Ohs freedom it seems as if the film is condemning the structural changes and western influences in society and in such condems the new freedoms of women. But can this film be seen as a feminist film in any way? Soyoung Kim argues that this film is not a feminist film, but a woman’s film (189). She argues that these films are marketed and targeted towards women, but cannot be classified as feminist film. But, following her line of reasoning, why would a film geared towards women, such as Madame Freedom be popular if it was condemning the newly found freedom of women in Korea. Why then did female audience experience flock to the movies to see it? Was it only an act of voyeurism or does the film indeed convey a positive understanding of gender issues for women?

What strikes me as interesting is that the film does not give a solid answer to what is right and what is wrong. If you watch the entire film it can seem apparent that the director is condemning this newfound freedom. However, if you look at the films messages in a more open way there are several key points that gear the film in favor of feminist approaches to gender issues. The parallel story of the husband and wife’s cheating is quite interesting. Even though the husband is faithful in the end he has also engaged in activities he shouldn't. Considering the fact that he is used to being outside and having the freedom that Madame Oh has just acquired his slip-up is in such worse than Madame Oh’s naive pursuit of men. Another one is in the aspect of financial temptation. Madame Oh looses all her money on her business deal with her friend, but her husband also “cheats” the family by working for free for the group of females. They are both in a sense cheating on their domestic duties. These two, and other examples, shows why this film is more than just a woman’s film marketed towards women. The film appeals to women because it promotes gender equality and women’s rights more than it condemns it.