You might want to stop what you are doing and take a gander at the latest from the Vengeance Trilogy director Park Chan Wook. While we have been following this one for a while, across two title changes ('Bat' and 'Evil Live') and an injection of American funds. Because of the latter, (and the vampire subject matter) it has a real chance of landing with a theatrical release on our shores (Focus has distribution rights), unlike the quirkier I'm A Cyborg and That's OK which remains relatively unseen compared to mega-cult hit Oldboy. It seems the vampire craze that is going on in so many parts of the world is about to manifest itself in the South Korean market in April. Judging by the classy soundtrack and handsome visuals and the star-power of Song Kang-Ho, this one could land big.
Anticipation? You bet. I am also getting Cronenberg-ian vibe. Here is hoping for some 2009 'Brundle-Fly' moments.
Sang-hyun is a priest who volunteers his time conducting his ministry to patients in a small town hospital. Although well respected for his strong faith and dedicated service to those around him, he suffers from overwhelming feelings of doubt and despair about living in a world that seems to be drowning in suffering and death. With the hope of saving even one life, he volunteers to participate in an experiment to find a vaccine for a deadly virus and heads to Africa. But the experiment fails, and Sang-hyun is infected with the fatal disease. Surprisingly, however, he recovers completely. News of his miraculous recovery spreads quickly, and devoted parishioners, thinking that he has the gift of healing, flock to his services. Suddenly, Sang-hyun relapses. He coughs up blood and dies, only to open his eyes the next day in dire need of shelter from the scorching sunlight..."
Embedded Trailer is after the Jump.
why do i get the feeling that i know how the movie will end?
the priest will sacrifice himself to save others, and it's the last shred of humanity left in him that he manages to salvage. and in that way, he also finds that the world is not without hope and salvation.
hmm, wonder if it will come true. i'm calling this with a view to a standard Hollywood resolution, of course. but Park may just filter the whole thing through his twisted sensibility and we get a sick ending!
It's going to be a looong wait for the HK dvd to hit probably around September. Maybe we can hope Subway cinema will get this for June's fest?
A poster & new pics also appear online: http://wildgrounds.com/index.php/2009/03/16/park-chan-wooks-thirst-trailer-hits-online/
Thanks for the heads up Maurice. Still #2. Oi! More Cronenberg resemblance.
**Links added to the above post**
"And yes, hoping that the Universal logo on the front of this doesn’t mean that we get a restrained Park film."
Or a shelved one. The New Line logo in front of SHADOWLESS SWORD didn't do that film any favors in terms of a US release, unless a years-later direct to DVD dump is to be considered a favor. Park's last film went straight to cable in the US (it may still be up for free viewing on Comcast On Demand), so I guess his new one going straight to DVD may be a tiny step up from that. I don't have any faith in any American distributors to do anything other than their absolute worst when marketing an Asian film.
True enough, but then as long as I can import the DVD from Asian sources, I could care less how American distributors treat it. Regarding "I'm a Cyborg" - I was absolutely floored to see it pop up on the Sundance Channel a couple of weeks ago. I think that was the first time I had ever seen hide nor hair of it in the US market.
I can take a shelved movie (in the US) as long as Park doesn't hold back on something interesting to fit a US movie studio's sensibility. Hopefully I'm being over sensitive as the preist angle does seem like an interesting approach to the saturated vampire landscape.
Asian erotic vampire movie, Don't need any publicity to convince you to see that... Unless you want to watch late night talk shows for the rest of your life, fuck that joe!!!!
Count me in, as usual. I love the orchestral scores from Park's films. I normally hate scores, but the ones he uses are great.
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awesome!
AWESOME!
AWESOME!
love the music in the trailer. the whole trailer has this crazy vibe going on. love it.
Trailer w/ english subtitles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dgan-dVYQnk
Vistor,
I've never managed to succesfully predict the ending of a Park Chan-Wook film yet. And if this one follows the usual route I'll be very surpr... hey, wait a minute!
AAAAAAAAAA
So good.
goosebumps