Little Forest

This was such a wonderful surprise - I absolutely want to learn Korean to view in native language - - I can not say enough about the filming, music, minimal production, screen writing and or directing - I did not know the story before but the symbology (ism), metaphors, or cinematic equivalents are very well delivered - might be dismissed by others as trite and done before especially with food as the story teller - but this was so refreshing - -

For the uninitiated, Soon-rye Yim's 'Little Forest' is a remake the Japanese minimal-arthouse film of the same name. I must admit, I was pretty uninitiated, and watched this delightful Korean film first. I actually preferred it to the original, it's a much easier view, focussing on the character Hye-Won played by the excellent Tae-ri Kim and relations with her mother and friends. It's a different approach to the original, more mainstream and accessible. Rural life is at the heart of things, but doesn't always take centre-stage. So, while the Japanese film documents so much detail (weather, food, recipes, cultural events, nature etc.) you lose sight of the people, which may have been the intention. Both films have their merits, but I found this one enchanting. The support work of the other actors makes the story fun and engaging (Jun-yeol Ryu is quite heroic and funny in the role of local farmer Jae-ha, Hye-won's possible 'love interest', and Ki-joo Jin is excellent as the feisty no-nonsense best friend Eun-sook), and there's a nice arc at the end, so some 'matters' seem to be resolved (unlike in the Japanese film, will they make a 3rd version so we can find out what actually happened to the mother, for example?).

So my advice, watch the original 'Little Forest' but take plenty of supplies and climb the 'mountain' in stages (with both 2014's Summer-Autumn and 2015's Winter-Spring that's 4 hours of dense and detailed viewing). While you're making all the necessary preparations, sit back and enjoy this little charmer!

This movie is full of love of life and it's simple but beautiful gifts. Good and though times with the Mother Nature are depicted in parallel with beautiful moments between three good friends.

We wouldn't witness all of these simple beauties of life if the movie maker herself was not in love with colors, light, and foods. Every frame of this movie indicates a well thought and crafted scene by a gifted person.

Here the story is flowing in the background without any harm to strength of the movie. There is a positive energy in every elements of this movie and its cast that naturally transmits to the audience and you unconditionally feel good after watching it. Indeed a valuable work and a great movie.

Gentle and sweet movie that relaxes the mind. The brave and feisty heroine of "Mr. Sunshine" is here a woman who rediscovers her self and peace in the land and people of her childhood.

It took a little time to get wrapped up in the plot, but after that it was a pleasure to watch on many levels. Ultimately, I feel it's about the question of living a simple life or not, but it also touches on other important issues.