Mastidon’s a fairly new spy for us here at AICN, but he’s come on strong this year since he did his first festival coverage. Now he’s in London, and then hopefully on his way to Berlin when that fest happens, and we’re pleased as punch that he’s decided to keep sending us reviews.
I haven’t heard a word about this first one he reviews for us tonight, but he seems enthusiastic about it to say the least. Check this out:
NO MERCY FOR THE RUDE - 4 stars (out of 5)
Hi Guys,
Mastidon here with my first report from the London film festival. For my first movie, I screened YEUI-EOMMEUN GEOTDEUL which translates to NO MERCY FOR THE RUDE. Its a Korean film with English subtitles. Now I know most of you don't want to see anything with subtitles. I mean who wants to read while at the cinema relaxing right? Well this one is worth it. So how about this for a concept? Imagine a mute hit-man who only kills people who are rude.
***SPOILERS START HERE*****
The film opens with a video of a bull fight in Spain. The matador does his best work and slays the bull in classic style. The camera then zooms back from the scene to reveal the bull fight was being watched on a screen in Korea by our mute hit-man. He dreams of going to America to be a bull fighter even though he has been told there are no bull fights there. So instead he envisions himself a matador in Korea - killing only the deserving rude people of the world. His thoughts throughout the film are played as narration.
Through flashbacks we learn of his reason for killing, a doctor promised to fix his tongue so he could speak at a cost of $100,000. To raise the money, he decided to become a hit-man. After completing his first assignment, he felt disgusted and vowed he would only kill people who deserved it, namely rude people. Also through flashbacks, we discover that his one true love was separated from him. She was adopted at the orphanage they both grew up at. He has searched for her for years but never could find her. As a parting gift to her, he pulled out one of his teeth and gave it to her.
During the course of the film we meet his assassin buddies and see their various killing styles. All have a unique way about killing. Our hit-man prefers knives, while others use guns or martial arts. All of our hit-man's murders are very graphic to the point you see the slow death from stabbing with the realization that people don't just die but hang on for a bit.
We also are introduced to a woman who becomes fascinated with him. She is clearly damaged herself with enjoying being with someone who does not speak. The sex scenes between them are graphic and appear as not much acting was going on but actual sex like in LUST, CAUTION. Our hit-man can't stand her and pushes her away repeatedly but somehow she keeps coming back. He also adopts a street kid and they become a pseudo-family. Things take an intense turn when he is assigned the final job that will push him over the $100,000.....
***END SPOILERS*****
In the end, it is a classic Greek tragedy filled with graphic sex and violence. The beauty of this film is that it takes you on a wild ride where one minute you are laughing and smiling, and the next you are shocked at the violence. In a room full of jaded press people, there were several moments when the audience laughed out loud. The action is tense and keeps you on the edge of your seat as the various assassinations take place.
Although this film was made last year, this was the first screening of it outside of Korea. Currently it has no distribution established but hopefully from the screening here, that will change. It is well worth your valuable time.
Up next for me is a documentary about the Apollo space program - IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON which one the best documentary award at Sundance this year. Until then....
Ciao from London,
-Mastidon
