The Importance of Long Shots in "Chilsu and Mansu"

     This film was made in 1988 based on the Taiwanese short story. In the film, two protagonists, Chilsu and Mansu are depicted as low class billboard painters. Both of the characters are shunned by the society. To be part of the society, Chilsu lies about his status and Mansu uses different dialect when answering the phone. This film demonstrates the gap between the society and two protagonists.

     The audience can see that the Director Park uses many long shots in this particular film. These long shots often use high and low angles. For example, Park uses long shot when Chilsu is trying to tell Mansu that he is meeting Jina after the phone call. Mansu is at the top of the apartment relying on the rope and Chilsu is on the ground. They cannot hear each other due to the distance. Another example is the climax. Director Park constantly uses high and low angles to show the distance between Chilsu and Mansu and the rest of society. Chilsu and Mansu are at the top of billboard and the rest of society is at the bottom. Again, they cannot understand each other. In addition, “long shots are used to juxtapose Chilsu and Mansu with a gigantic white Western female” (Kim 148).  By using this long shot, the Director Park depicted the parallel line between the “colonized male and colonial female” (Kim 148). This parallel line never diverges in this film.

     It was very interesting to see the use of camera angles to articulate certain circumstances. I believe that the gap between the two protagonists is not only shown through narrative but also from the camera angles. I am curious if Director Park used long shots, low and high angles purposely to frame Chilsu and Mansu’s position in the society, the observer rather than the participant. Furthermore, I wonder if Mansu’s suicide can be seen as his effort to be part of the society, the participant. Overall, I think this is a pessimistic film because it tells the audience that it is very hard to be part of the society as an outsider. It creates a problem when outsiders speak up their opinions.  

- Soo Min