Director: Kim Ki Duk.

Starring: Lee Jung Jin, Jo Min Soo.

Running Time: 104 Minutes

Synopsis: A cruel and violent debt collector, charged with breaking the bones of clients who fail to pay back their loans in order to receive their insurance, is visited by a woman claiming to be his mother.

2014 is most certainly the year of Kim Ki Duk here in the UK. He’s already had the phenomenal MOEBIUS released theatrically to great acclaim, and the London Korean Film Festival is preparing to show his latest feature ONE ON ONE. Not only that, but you can also experience a few of the director’s other stand out works, one of which is one of last year’s best films, PIETA. Like so many of Kim’s pieces, it is a dark and draining experience, but as always it takes things to such extremes that when heart does shine through, it’s an incredibly powerful experience.

Once again Kim selects one of humanities most unlikable characters in the form of Gang Do (Lee), a man who cripples poor labourers foolish enough to take out loans. His methods are cruel, but his justification understandable. From a single viewpoint Gang Do expresses that he finds these people disgusting for taking out loans they are unable to pay back. Begging and pleading mean nothing to him, as he has a job to do. That is until a woman claiming to be his mother enters the picture.

Looking at the idea of nature versus nurture, Gang Do gradually, and I mean very gradually, begins to see the world differently. Each of his victims/clients represents a different section of society, or a different way of thinking. Some beg for a second chance, while others are prepared to take their own lives. One is even more than willing to sacrifice both his hands in order to give their son a better life. Even after the attacks the men all react differently, with some hitting the bottle and others seeking revenge. In this small but domineering story, Kim shows how humanity reacts to circumstances in a variety of ways. Is Gang Do really to blame? And can he be forgiven by those he’s had an impact on?

The relationship Gang Do builds with his supposed mother Mi Son (Jo) is terrifying and adorable. It starts with violence, including incestial sexual vioelnce, but soon sees the pair catching up on treasured missed moments. Like any of Kim Ki Duk’s films, not knowing how you feel is part of the joy. As Gang Do is partially redeemed, the poor souls he destroyed slip further into darkness. The idea that even the most heinous of men can be tamed to a degree, while loving men can become wild, is a fascinating idea that Kim explores with his usual visual subtlety displayed through incredible usage of the colour red and metaphorical animals serving different purposes.

With the usual lashing of dark humour, it should also be noted that PIETA doesn’t lack restraint. We don’t see much in terms of gore, not that you’d realise such a fact as Kim’s build-up will have you turning away in the crucial moments. Both beautiful and heartbreakingly twisted, PIETA is a brave film that many directors would get completely wrong. In the ever reliable hands of Kim though, this is a fantastic piece of art which is both unforgettable and undefinable. A true master, whose 18th feature is every bit as challenging and original as his earlier projects.

[usr=5]PIETA screens as part of the Kim Ki Duk retrospective at the London Korean Film Festival. Other films include, CROCODILE, MOEBIUS, and his latest work ONE ON ONE. Find out more here!

Follow our LKFF 2014 Coverage HERE!