For those not familiar with Park Chan-wook’s work then please reference his past films which include Oldboy (2005), Lady Vengeance (2005), and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) to name a few. Chan-wook returns this year with what could easily be regarded as his most compelling film to date. Thirst follows a priest who selflessly donates his body to science in order to create a vaccine for a deadly virus. Once he is taken by the virus a blood transfusion is necessary to save his life, but the blood he receives is… infected. The priest lives but must now live his life as a vampire.
On the surface this story is about the dark irony of a priest, a man who has given himself to a life of religion and to the word of God, who finds himself deep in a world of sin and the trials and tribulations that arise from this. But this story has many social and moral issues that it comments on as well.
The main issues the film touches on are the choices we make in life and how easily we look past the overall consequences of our decisions. With every action there is a reaction and Thirst illustrates this quite well. Slowly every choice the main character makes that leads him down a road of “sin” eventually comes back and makes things harder for him.
The film also touches on the depravity of people in desperate situations. From the corruption of the priest himself, to the corruption of those around him once they find out what he is. The lure and promise we often hold onto in troubled times that leads us down dark paths, this is something quite prevalent throughout the film. Chan-wook does a wonderful job showing us the ugly side of a character while subconsciously making it impossible to not be able to relate the character to some part of our own life experience.
On the artistic side, this film is probably the most visually stunning since Lady Vengeance (a main reason it’s my favorite Park Chan-wook film). I believe this to be in large part to the co-production of Ahn Soo-Hyun who worked with Chan-wook once before on the horror short Cut for the horror compilation film Sam gang yi (Three Extremes in U.S.) back in 2004.
The cinematography in this film really drives the feelings and emotions home. From the lighting of the hospital in the beginning of the film to the lake scene towards the end, the dimly lit streets at night and especially within the final scenes of the apartment where colors are used vividly to enclose you within that space.
If you’re at all interested in foreign films, vampire films, dark comedy films, or just a big Park Chan-wook fan like I am, then I highly suggest you catch Thirst while it’s in theaters. Unfortunately, as most foreign or indie films go and even more so for foreign indie films, this one won’t reach all cities or even all 51 states, but if you happen to be in a city or nearby a city with a decent indie theater that is showing Thirst….. GO SEE IT!
Score: 5 out of 5
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3 comments:
Nice. We're Park fans too.
I've only seen oldboy and I thought it was great. I've heard great things about this money. I can't stand vampire movies and I think there are way too many out there and they should just stop making them. Because I've heard great things about this movie I think I'm willing to give it a shot. Is it overly vampire-like?
fair assumption.
but this film s definitely not too vampire-like. the fact that he is a vampire is just a catalyst to his overall dilemma in the film.
In fact the only elements of vampire lore that Chan-wook has implemented is the necessity to feed on others, the weakness to sunlight and super human abilities. all other aspects of vampire lore have been left out in order to suit the film.
A main focus of the film is the effect that having to take lives to live has on someone dedicated to saving them. Also the fact that a once priest must adapt to finding himself deeply immersed in a world of sin and primal urges.
if you enjoyed Oldboy then i really think you'll enjoy Thirst.
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