Summary: Welcome to an outside the box kind of director's spotlight this week as we feature a selected filmography of South Korean filmmaker Chan-Wook Park. The name may mean a great deal or may hold no point of reference depending on the individual but it's a safe bet that most if not all genre fans have at least heard of the Vengeance Trilogy. Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) kicked off a series of three films featuring a central linking theme of the enormous toll revenge can take on the human spirit (and body) for all involved. The series continued with Oldboy (2003), hailed by many as a modern day masterpiece of filmmaking and we do our best to help justify that claim. The final chapter was Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005) which took many of the conventions of the genre and the lessons we had learned, and turned them in an entirely different direction. These films all demonstrate the visual mastery of Park as director but far more apparent is a skill at delivering thrilling tales that force the viewer to turn inward and consider where utter despair of the human soul can drive characters. To complete our look at Chan-Wook Park, we talk about his 2009 Cannes Jury Prize winning Thirst - another modern and (amazingly) original take on the vampire tale. Again focusing on the motivations of a central character we are challenged on the meaning of good and evil and explore the grey between the black and white. Many thanks to hand out this week (Art, Nick, Melanie, Simon, Larry and Chris) to listeners who contributed in different ways as well as some back-patting for another showing by the podcast for best horror audio in the 2010 Rondo Awards. With the prestigious competition, it really is an honour to be nominated. Oldboy spoilers: 54:20 - 1:03:30 Lady Vengeance spoilers: 1:17:11 - 1:21:20 As always we welcome your comments: horroretc@gmail.com / voicemail (206) 337-5324 WWW.HORRORETC.COM
