cinemarx

This movie has been overrated. There have been hundreds of Hong Sangsoo imitators in South Korea's indie movie scene and this movie just grabbed the spotlight because the director was a woman who had been Hong's longtime producer. I know, that's what she had learned. However, we don't expect to watch some artist's opposite-sex double when we see a new director's debut film. Actually, South Korea's independent filmmaking industry is driving itself into a pipeline system that limits itself as a pool to supply personpower, ideas, and trends, lacking experimental and challenging spirit it used to have. This movie shows just another example of a so-so low-budget self-claimed indie film that just reproduces old conventions of already successful arthouse directors.

Ashin's clan does not belong to Joseon nor Jurchen. They have settled in Joseon's territory and been loyal to this new homeland; however, both Joseon and Jurchen abandoned them and used them for the sake of peace between the two. Ashin's anger and revenge show the sadness of those diasporic minorities.