Memories of murder (2003) directed by Bong Joon Ho tells the ups and downs of an unsolved rape-murder case investigation by Detectives Park, Cho and Suh. Detective Suh, transferred from Seoul police force, uses standardized methods and procedures, like looking through documentation and relying on authentic evidence. But Detective Park relies on his “God-eyes,” which he claims is the reason why he is a successful detective. And it proved to be useful in tracking and catching a runaway suspect.
Throughout the movie, there were many close ups on the characters’ facial expressions, but, more importantly, on their eyes. From the suspects’ interrogation scenes to the detectives themselves, these shots take up a lot of space in the film. Other than informing the audience of their reactions towards certain events, the focus on their faces prevents us from seeing what they’re actually seeing. The interrogation scene of the handsome factory office worker displays this blank space (and silence). The revelation of the truth is affected by the lighting/darkness and at the same time, its invisibility. If the bodies of the victims were not discovered, the local police would’ve never known that a serial killer existed. The kidnappings happened (almost) without eye-witnesses and there are no physical evidences except the female bodies.
What I don’t understand is how this movie, the plot or the visual images relate to the modernization of Korean society. Is there a hidden larger meaning that I missed?
No comments:
Post a Comment