Nabi

South Korean cinema has really become the top drawer of dramatic cinema in the world. This story of suffering and redemption is of the highest quality in all aspects. the cinematic skills of the director using DV brings that often maligned technology to the screen with a movie that is as visually stunning as anything shot on 35mm. And the acting is totally top drawer. All three of the main actors go through an almost embarrassingly intimate psychological transformation that exemplifies the films message of redemption. This film beautifully contrasts a sad dystopian (and I think accurate) failure of the modernist/Spectacular capitalism and a more eternally personal search for meaning and emotional anchors. Overall brilliant.

The story itself may seem disjointed, insubstantial, and may not strike a chord with many viewers. It is certainly not a movie to watch for entertainment. The premise is one of a kind -- a virus that erases memory of those infected. While the setting is supposed to be some distant future, the movie does not have any futuristic feel, but rather like any contemporary story. I admit the storytelling seems dragging on at times and the progression is certainly slow. However, I was completely immersed in the beauty of the imagery, the music, the overall atmosphere. It is drenched in pain, sorrow and longing. The main character, Anna is beautifully portrayed and the actress's quiet but expressive acting will draw you in if you keep an open mind. This is a movie to be watched not like a conventional "movie," but as you would savor a beautiful piece of painting.

A woman named Anna arrives in a city afflicted by lethal acid rain in search of the oblivion virus - an virus which erases memories. An agency provides two staff to help her: the guide Yuki, who tracks outbreaks and rushes clients to the scene to seek infection, and their driver K, an orphan who is desperate to find his family. But the virus proves elusive, and Anna (whose bad memories are triggered by guilt over her dead child) is ready to give up - until she comes across evidence that this may not be her first visit to the city. Shooting fast and cheap on DV, Moon Seung-Wook creates a powerful dystopian vision in which the longed-for salvation is amnesia. The imagination on display here is impressive - I thought the film was going to match 12 Monkeys but it was all a little too experimental for that. The performances are excellent - It has Best Actress prizes from Puchon and Locarno festivals to prove it.

Clearly very low budget, the movie basically feels amateurish. Camerawork is home movie quality (there's no attempt at lighting or anything cinematic), acting is weak (I never once forgot that I was watching actors), script is clumsy and disjointed...

There's all sorts of vague imagery and themes that seems like it should mean something artistic, but ultimately doesn't really say much about much. At least, it didn't say very much to me. Without assuming gender stereotypes, I think it's safe to say NABI is a movie that probably appeals more to women than men though.

It's a shame the movie comes in this ultra-luscious 2 DVD box set with booklet & a strip of frames from the movie, 'cause I really just didn't get enough out of the movie to ever want to watch the 2nd disc of extras or even to look in the booklet. Lovely as the Limited Edition packaging is, I can't really justify having the movie take up as much shelf space as it does!

Mesmerizing trip into the lives of three strangers who are all in pain. Gorgeous cinematography, (even though shot on Digital Video), perfect score and outstanding performances took me deep into the painful lives of these characters. Nice metaphors and a really unique, gritty Sci-Fi premise. Highly recommended.