O Encontro Fatal

In 1770s Korea, King Jeong-jo of the Joseon dynasty has been on the throne for only a short time, but numerous assassination attempts have already been made on his life. His mother and grandmother are at odds; the court is divided and worse, the army is under the command of a general who may or may not be loyal to the king. While training himself in secret, Jeong-jo trusts only his clerk, whom he has known since before his father was executed years ago. Meanwhile, over the decades young children taken by a brutal slave-master are brought up to become assassins, and tonight is the fateful night....

It just isn't a Montreal Fantasia Festival for me if I don't see at least one seriously costumed historical drama from at least one Asian country, and this year "The Fatal Encounter" fit the bill perfectly. There's a massive amount of intrigue, lots and lots of intense combat scenes, a bit of torture here and there and, of course, a love interest as well. The film is apparently based on a real incident in Korean history, although of course how much license is taken by the filmmakers is another question. I must admit that I was confused for much of the film, simply because there are so many intrigues and plots going on at the same time, and it was very difficult to wrap my head around a "grandmother" who is younger than her "grandson" and considerably younger than that "grandson's" mother - but heck, this is the kind of film where you just go with the flow and trust that it will all come out right in the end! Definitely worth a look, but do try to keep all the plots straight in your head while viewing it....

This is another movie that takes place during the Joseon Dynasty. However unlike certain Korean dramas that takes on this premises. This actually way more fast-paced. The movie revolves around a King, spies, assassins, treason and love affairs. And for the most part it's actually blended in quite well. The twist and turns actually makes this one quite immersive, despite some of the twist being quite predictable and all. My one main disappointment is how certain characters and story structure builds up and at the end, it just seems to fall short with it's development. In another words, the good build up seemed a bit disappointing, because of the weak ending that just felt a bit abrupt. It's a movie that is worth the attention though.

7.6/10

Wow! Beautifully shot and compelling actin from all involved. Hyun Bin as King Jeonjo is so intense. His eyes and voice hold all the expression. Very restrained and all the better for that. I've seen reviews which said he didn't show any emotion- really? What film were you watching! Han Ji-Min is great too. Really nasty character - so well done. I think it's my favourite role for her. This is my first Korean historical film and really enjoyed it. Cinematography is stunning.

I watched "The Throne" (check So Ji Sub's filmography) yesterday and after watching, I tried to read what actually happened to King Jeongjo and his father, and I found this title with Hyun Bin (wow!) in it. This movie is a great continuity (although it's not meant to be that way) to "The Throne" movie. Great props and sets, very2 talented actors, photography is soo on point, my 2 hrs 15 mins felt so worth it. Most korean historical movies are so good to watch. Thumbs up to the director.

i often wondered why korean movies could be so transcend and so better than most of the Japanese and Chinese movies now. the korean film makers and their screenplay writers are simply superior to all the other oriental movie industries now, especially when most of the Japanese movies now are based on comic books drafted by those who never having real life or real social activities but growing up by reading other Japanese comic book writers' day dream-like fantasies, while the Chinese movie makers are intoxicated by their shallow materialism and stupid illogic ridiculous farces which they mistakenly thought as comedies, almost 98% of the Chinese movies made in recent years were nothing but garbage, just like most of their TV drama series ridiculed themselves into an unbelievable jokes, especially when related to historical events, they were mostly twisted and had to be complied and censored by the Chinese communist media authorities. it is why the Chinese historical movies could only be falsified to meet the requirements and dogma by their sole reigning party and government. anything no matter how far related to their own Chinese history is sensitive and would be seriously censored, so all the Chinese movie and TV industries could only produce ridiculous farce to avoid being censored and may be found guilty of treason.

but to the south korean movie makers, they don't have such worries, they could freely produce whatever they want. but once related to historical stuff, although they don't like to admit that their history is heavily intertwined with the Chinese, they still faithfully show the strong Chinese influence in their stories. that's why we could always see the strong showing of the Chinese culture in the korean historical movies. by faithfully followed their footprints left by their ancestors, almost all of their historical films, movies or TV dramas, are great, profound, highly watchable and quite memorable. the other thing worth mentioning about the korean historical films or TV drama series, is their superior cinematography, faithfully showing the beauty of their products.

this 'fatal encounter' is just another great sample of how and why the korean movies are just so superior to those of the Chinese and the Japanese; one who has to ridicule themselves to bypass the censorship, and the other one, could get their creativity from their comic books.