The Witch: Part 1 and New World director Park Hoon-jung’s new thriller, Night In Paradise, just premiered Out Of Competition this year for the 77th La Biennale di Venezia. Reviews are out and about as we speak for onlookers to gain some perspective but we do have a teaser to glance at ahead of its Korean release, TBA.
Tae-gu, the ace of a criminal gang led by Mr. Yang, tries to clean up his life for his sick sister and nephew. Then one day, his sister and nephew are killed in an accident by someone who aimed for Tae-gu. Tae-gu decides to take revenge in shock. In the end, he removes the boss of another gang, and runs away to Jeju Island. Without knowing that his gang has already abandoned him, he meets Kuto and his niece, Jae-yeon who look after Tae-gu. Jae-yeon is dying from an illness, while Tae-gu intuitively feels the danger coming close. Things are getting tangled up, and Jae-yeon and Tae-gu, who have no desire to live, start to feel pity for each other.
Park’s own statement teases some irony as part of the takeaway for the plot, which he elucidates as “…stained with bloody revenge, the exact opposite of the mise-en-scène rich with beautiful seas and blue skies”. The noir look certainly lends to the effect here in addition to the title card.
Night In Paradise stars Um Tae-goo whose latest quirky sports dramedy, My Punch-Drunk Boxer, just had its virtual premiere for Fantasia. Also starring are Jeon Yeo-been, Cha Seoung-won, Lee Ki-young, Park Ho-san.
Contents Panda is selling the film internationally.
