For those that enjoy foreign films with very few subtitles may enjoy Kim Ki Duk's The Bow.
For those that enjoy foreign films with very few subtitles may enjoy Kim Ki Duk's The Bow. While it moves at a much slower pace than his masterpiece 3 Iron, it still contains the same quirkiness and richness of theme.
Set on a fishing boat anchored in the middle of the ocean, a girl nearing her seventeenth birthday lives with a sixty year old man. He had been raising her since she was six and is in the midst of arranging their wedding once she is of age. During such time he is fiercely protective and will gladly put an arrow through anyone who touches her. All is well until she meets a young man who shows her a world beyond her surrounding waves which changes everything between the girl and the old man.
While it certainly is not a film recommended for anyone to enjoy, those that enjoy high-brow artsy films would perhaps get a kick out of the numerous interpretations of themes, imagery, actions and symbols expressed and explored throughout. In true Kim Ki-duk style, the lead actors never express themselves through dialogue, only action which in turn causes the plot to drip in subtext.
In comparison to 3 Iron, another film whose leading characters actually said very little to one another, The Bow falls slightly short of a satisfying ending. The supporting characters are expectedly both freaked out yet indifferent by the absurd relationship these two share, but it's only the young man who cares enough to do anything about it - much to the chagrin of the old man.
This, of course, raises several questions of maturity and morality. At first glance, the relationship is perverse as he's three times older than she is. But as the story progresses, one wonders who is dependent on whom? Who is taking advantage of whom? And is there actually really true love that is present between the both of them?
Special Features:
The Making of THE BOW - is a really interesting featurette all subtitled in English. Of note, Director Kim Ki-duk needed a actress old enough to be able to perform many of the mature themed scenes, but young so as to look innocent and naive. Also, it sheds a great deal of light on the many themes explored throughout the film, and many that may never had occurred while viewing.
It also comes with the Original Theatrical Trailer and Photo Gallery.
