Possessed

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Bool-sin-ji-ok (Possessed)

June 3rd 2010 01:08

Hell of the Non-Believers is the literal English translation of this atmospheric and creepy South Korean tale of spiritual dementia, demonic possession, and familial adoration screening in this year’s Sydney Film Festival. Possessed (2009) is the more conventional international title. It portrays a young woman, her mother, her neighbours, and a detective, as they try to solve the mystery of the disappearance of the woman’s young sister. They more layers they unravel the darker the vanishing turns. This is a serpent that feeds on itself.

Shim Eun-gyung as So-jin

Hee-jin (Nam Sang-mi), a college student, confronts her evangelist-Christian mother (Kim Bo-yeon) about the sudden disappearance of her younger sister So-jin (Shim Eun-gyung). The mother insists on praying to the Lord until her daughter’s return, whilst detective Tae-hwan (Ryu Seung-ryong) dismisses the missing girl as a runaway. Much to her increasing dismay Hee-jin uncovers disturbing details about close-by apartment residents and their possible spiritual exploitation of So-jin, encouraged and perpetuated by a witch-like local shaman Kyung-ja (Moon Hee-gyung). The nightmarish situation escalates when the neighbors begin to commit suicide in horrific manner, seemingly guided by the presence of So-jin, and even Hee-jin’s safety is threatened.

Nam Sang-mi as Hee-jin

Possessed is one of the best Asian horror-thrillers in years, and no doubt Hollywood will snatch the remake rights in a jiffy. Despite being dialogue-heavy and with reliance on interior scenes, a profound sense of claustrophobia descends on the movie, and the supernatural noose is steadily tightened. It’s difficult to know just who the most malevolent character at work is; even Hee-jin’s good nature is put under strain in the movie’s last quarter as it appears she hasn’t escaped the clutches of Satan’s possession unscathed. Will she uncover her mother’s dubious intent in time?

Ryu Seung-ryong as Tae-hwan

I was very impressed with the mood and tone of this picture, the eerie visual narrative and use of sound. In particular a dream sequence in a small park early on in the movie resonated strongly. The religious shadowplay is ominous, although the audience is never privy to the demon/Satan itself, but can feel its presence throughout. There are many genuinely unnerving scenes; when So-jin is outside the window of her apartment peering in and grimaces like a fierce beast, and when, in a trance orchestrated by the shaman woman, and in close-up her eyes roll into her head and back again.

Kim Bo-yeon as mother

This is director Yong-Joo Lee’s debut feature (previously an architect) and it’s an impressive effort indeed. The acting is all excellent, the production values top notch, and although there aren’t many special effects sequences, they work effectively. This is a director to watch out for, possessing a strong and dynamic use of sound and image, combined with solid storytelling. See the original before the inevitable remake!

Children of the damned

Here’s the trailer:

And here's the superb dream sequence and the possession sequence I mentioned:

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews

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Comments

6 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Catherine Stebbins

June 3rd 2010 01:52

Thoughts from a Cinephile
Thoughts from a TV Watcher

Great review! This one is on mylist of South Korean films to see. I agree with the international title; it is quite dull. It is not on Netflix but hopefully I will be able to watch it somehow.

Comment by Matt Shea

June 3rd 2010 04:38

Oh man, I've been hankering to check this out, Bryn, and you've just made my anticipation all the more pointed. A Korean dude I know was recommending it to me recently. Nice write-up brother.

Comment by David O'Connell

June 3rd 2010 07:16

20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic

Very happy to hear your positive report Bryn. This looked like a great pick-up for the SFF, hopefully it gets a look in down here as well.
BTW, I can't believe this is the only Korean film being shown at the SFF this year!!! That's pretty disappointing - unless it's been a thin year for their industry, which I find hard to believe.