The Isle (2000)

I love this movie so much

Good movie but grossly overrated

best movie i've ever seen.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

The earlier Kim Ki-Duk films always had one common theme running through them: Romance Through Sadism. Both his debut film "Crocodile" and even "Bad Guy", The Isle's successor, had the theme of romance mixing with sadism. At times it's physical violence, and other times it's about the sexual sadism. And The Isle is no different among his earlier films, in the sense of the way he conveyed the overall tone of the film. While most of his earlier films did have this similar theme, I have to say that "The Isle" is his most poetic film. While still delivering the romanticism through sadism, the film takes almost an avant-garde route. The film still sticks to the narrative storytelling; Kim Ki-Duk, however, does not take the route of full on Luis Bunuel or David Lynch's "Eraserhead" or "Inland Empire". The closest Lynch film, if anything, I'd compare this to is "Mulholland Drive". The violence, as expected from a Kim Ki-Duk film, is unprecedentedly abhorrent. Fish hooks are used throughout the film by the main couple in one of the most sadistic way you can witness on the silver screen. But it definitely isn't done in the over-the-top and gratuitous way, but in an ironically beautiful and poetic sense. Imagine swallowing a handful of fish hooks, in an attempt to end your life. Or a woman inserting a handful of fish hooks up her vagina and yanks them out in order to get your lover back. That is the type of sadism "The Isle" presents. However, do not think of it as your average controversial film, for the sake of the shock values. There's more to this film than the "romantic sadism".The cinematography, especially the establishing shots of the resort, is gorgeously shot. And the composer definitely knew how to depict isolation and loneliness, as every single scenes with the film score perfectly fit the emotions the main characters were showing. The acting and the directing were quite Italian Neorealism(but of course that's Kim Ki-Duk's style). Isolation, loneliness, sexual sadism, romanticism, and fish hooks. These are what represent "The Isle". And the film definitely is the most poetic among his earlier filmography, though what film has Kim Ki-Duk made that didn't contain poetic elements in it?10/10

"The Isle" (aka "Seom") is somewhat of an acquired taste of movie, and it does stand out in the South Korean cinema as being very original and bold in its own way. And with that said, then this is the type of movie that doesn't appeal to just everyone in the audience.The story is about a mute woman named Hee-Jin who works at a fishing resort, where she sell bait, food and even herself to the visiting fishermen. She falls in love with the reclusive Hyun-Shik, whom is running from the police.There isn't a lot of dialogue in the entire movie, which could be odd for some people. But what the movie doesn't have in dialogue, it more than makes up for in visual presentation. Director Ki-Duk Kim really managed to tell a beautiful story in "The Isle".The acting talents in "The Isle" were also doing great work with their individual roles, especially since there were not all that much dialogue, so there was a higher pressure in terms of acting through gestures, body language and mood. And especially Jung Suh (playing Hee-Jin) was impressive in "The Isle", as she performed phenomenally.It is the visuals in "The Isle" that makes it a formidable movie. It is so well-filmed and the acting talents all contributed to make this a memorable movie. Some scenes are quite graphic and brutal to watch, but they are presented in a great way and they are essential to the movie."The Isle" is a unique moment in the South Korean cinema, and it is a movie that you should sit down to watch if you enjoy Asian movies.

Kim Ki-duk's The Isle is definitely a great film that has an unlikely appeal and it is definitely not for the weak at heart. It stars Suh Jung and Kim Yoosuk as the mute Hee-Jin and a man running from the law,Hyun- Shik respectively.Both are an unlikely couple who develop a love for each other despite the unusual circumstances. The story is about Hee-jin, who operates a fishing resort, where she rents out small floating cottages and ferries her customers back and forth between land and the floats, controlling the only means of transport around. She also dispassionately takes care of her customers' needs by selling supplies, providing prostitutes or occasionally acting as one herself. However, when a man running from the law,Hyun-shik,comes to the resort, a bond starts to form between them.He arrives at the resort and is ferried to his float by Hee-jin. There is nothing unusual about their business relationship from the onset, but eventually Hee-jin is intrigued by Hyun-shik's feelings of depression and desolation. When visiting his float one time, Hee-jin still resists Hyun-shik's forceful advances but does call in a prostitute to service him. Hyun-shik, however,only wants companionship from the prostitute and a relationship starts to form between them.However,an unlikely bond and relationship developed between them.Hee-jin looks after Hyun-shik, even saving him from two suicide attempts,the second one accomplished gruesomely by swallowing a string of fish hooks. A prostitute continues to take more and more time off her schedule to visit Hyun-shik, oblivious to his troubles and eventually Hee-jin becomes jealous. During one visit, Hee-jin ferries the prostitute to an empty float instead of Hyun-shik's, ties her up and duct tapes her mouth shut, which eventually leads to her death as she falls into the sea.The prostitute's pimp, who comes to find out what's happening, is also killed by Hee-jin.After the murders, Hyun-shik's and Hee-jin's relationship stalls.He wants to leave the resort,but she won't let him. When he attempts to swim out,she has to save him and take him back to his float.Then he takes the boat and is set to leave. Hee-jin apparently attempts suicide in an effort to stop him by stuffing fish hooks into her vagina and falling into the water. This time it's his turn to save her, by reeling her in with the still attached hooks.Both continue their troubled relationship. A prostitute accidentally kicks a man's rolex into the water, infuriating him. He calls divers to have them retrieve the watch. The divers discover the bodies of the prostitute and the pimp while Hee-jin and Hyun-shik wordlessly take off on his float. The film concludes in enigmatic fashion when it shows Hee- jin's dead body floating in the boat.The movie tries to explore about two people who are affected by depression and desolation as well as the primal behavior and brutalities men are inherently capable of.Aside from that,it also tries to examine the complexity of the relationship between Hee-jin and Hyun- shik especially the emotion of loneliness and one's need of companionship.The movie is not without controversy as some elements of the film like the use of fish hooks during attempted suicide scenes can present horror to the viewers. Finally,this film will definitely leave a big imprint into one's thoughts especially the final scene wherein it seems that Hyun-shik apparently killed Hee-jin in the end.It will encourage discussions in terms of the sense of brutality a human being is capable of.The film was well-acted.Sexy Korean actress,Suh Jung,whom I have previously seen in Green Chair and Yellow Flower,shines in this movie as her capability to show emotion without uttering a single word is a feat indeed.She truly captured the emotion of unhappiness and need for love that Hee-jin wants.I find a lot of honesty in her performance as she managed they get the viewer's sympathy for her character.This is the best film I have seen her to date.No question that she is not only a good looking actress with a sexy body but a talented one as well.She also shared a great chemistry with Kim Yoosuk,who was credible as Hyun- shik. Added to that,Kim Ki-duk's direction was masterful as the viewer is completely engaged in the story from beginning to end.Aside from that,he also managed to get us interested and make us care about Hee-jin and Hyun-shik and the development of their complex relationship.Overall,this is one film that would definitely not into everyone's liking but nevertheless,it also would once more prove that movies can be used to examine even the most awkward of themes which is that of the primal behavior of human beings and as well as the fact that Koreans are once more one of the most creative when it comes to making movies.

Not sure how to begin this, but I'll start off simply by saying, "I liked it." After the movie finished I was happy with what I saw. And now a day later, I'm even more satisfied and actually anticipating my next viewing of it. I barely ever repeat movies so soon, but with this film, I feel I need to.The story is about a young woman who seems to be an owner/caretaker of a lake resort rental service. She takes her paying customers out to little floating shacks on the lake (a great idea which delivers a fantastic unique setting), where she caters to their needs. Well, one day a suicidal young man comes to the lake and rents out a shack. Well the two young adults almost immediately sense something special in one another. The story revolves around these two and their evolving relationship. The movie also intertwines other small side-plots with other shack inhabitants, and even pimps. The movie is a slow-moving film, but it delivers on many entertaining levels. Though, I can easily understand some people not liking this movie in the slightest bit. But for people who do enjoy a bizarre tale, this will be right up your alley.The Isle aka Seom is my second venture into Ki-Duk Kim's work, and again, I came out satisfied. Bad Guy the other, is also recommendable, but this speaks to me much more, from the awesome setting, the great cinematography, to the intriguing story. Also the acting from all actors was very well-done. And I have to mention that the ending is something of a head-scratcher. You can look at it from many different angles, and I love that. The Isle was a very pleasant surprise for myself and I'll be sure to rec it to as many open-minded movie lovers as I can. A solid 8 outta 10.