With brutal thriller Lady Vengeance, South Korean helmer Park Chan-wook serves the final dish in a three-course dinner of revenge that includes Sympathy For Mr Vengeance and Old Boy. It follows Lee Young-ae as Geum-ja, released from prison and seeking the men who put her there. Despite the violence, it was widely acclaimed as a "thrilling, intelligent study of sin and retribution." Likewise, it sated the appetites of Chan-wook's cult following of western fans.
A Woman Scorned...
Although an interview with Chan-wook provides the only behind-the-scenes access on this DVD, it is extensive and unflinching. Initially he explains that he wanted the elfin Lee Young-ae for the title role because, "I wanted to cast someone who would be at the bottom of the list for such a role." He later compares the actress to Audrey Hepburn, saying that having a fragile-looking woman committing acts of violence is shocking enough that he didn't need to get the camera in close on the violence itself. He describes a notion of "female vengeance" that is cool and clean as opposed to the "messy" and "impulsive" revenge exacted by the male protagonists in his previous films. On top of that he insists that, "It would be obscene" and "sensationalist" to show a beautiful woman getting her hands dirty with blood and guts...
Settling The Score
Chan-wook is later challenged on the issue of why he chose to show the suffering of children. "I want the audience to feel the anger the parents felt," he explains, "and then to ask the question: how far can revenge be justified?" He even draws a parallel between reactions to this sequence and to footage of a Korean hostage being executed in Iraq, which was shown on Korean television. Chan-wook states firmly that he does not believe in revenge, but this stance is contrary to a basic human impulse. Of course this is what fascinates him as a filmmaker.
The director is also probed on the religious iconography in the film and on the dreamy, ethereal look of the piece. "It is a fairytale," he explains, "where a girl has adventures and meets monsters along the way." The music too was designed to connote this otherworldly environment.
Obviously, no contribution from the actors and lack of behind-the-scenes footage is disappointing, but the interview at least paints a clear picture of intent. Followers of the Revenge Trilogy will not want to miss out on this DVD.
EXTRA FEATURES
