Logan D
In spring, life's tender whispers bloom on the lake, wisdom's cradle.
Summer's passion ignites, fall's reflection, winter's solitude—cycles.
Each season's grasp, a lesson learned, rebirth in spring's eternal fable.
I was gonna write a Haiku but searched for Korean poetry and learned a little about Sijo. The composition above was written by ChatGPT as I didn't have the time to give it.
This is the tale of two individuals. One, an aging monk who has attained enlightenment. The other, a boy whom the monk is raising. Each season represents a period in the boys life as he grows to manhood. It's a beatiful and contemplative film. And I loved I had one question which technically would be a plot whole if unanswered. Surprisingly, they answered it.
Highly recommended.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/03/24
Full Review
Raphael G
Visually spectacular, with a great atmosphere. Its parable format has some aspects that might sound cheesy or outdated to some, but seen as a modern take on ancient stories, it's quite well made. I thought that the soundtrack was a bit too much at times with its synthesizers, even though the compositions themselves were good. All in all it's good.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
12/17/23
Full Review
Matthew B
There are so many movies laden with Christian symbolism that it makes a pleasant change to watch a movie in which the imagery reflects that of another religion or philosophy. In the case of South Korean director Kim Ki-duk's film, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter…and Spring, the symbolism is Buddhist.
This may pose challenges for western viewers who are unfamiliar with Buddhism, or with the views of people who live in countries where Buddhism is a leading religion. Why does a man leave a monastery taking a Buddhist icon and a rooster with him? What are the words that the young man carves into the floor of the floating monastery? Why do two characters cover their eyes and mouths with cloth before they attempt to commit suicide? Why suicide in any case?
Such images will test some viewer's tolerance, and the slow and steady progress of the film may not be to everyone's taste. The action (or lack of action) unfolds with all the serenity and peacefulness that people associate with Buddhism. The story is told visually, and with minimal dialogue.
For viewers who are patient enough to enjoy a film that moves at its own pace, this is a beautiful movie with stunning photography and an attractive and unusual setting. This setting is a floating monastery in an unnamed lake. The location is remote from other people, and it is surrounded by forest and mountains.
There are only two leading characters in the film, an elderly master and his apprentice monk. Other people visit the floating monastery, but only in one season. Their actions impact on the two residents of the monastery, but the film is not about them. Despite their centrality to the story, neither the master nor the apprentice is ever named, reflecting the Buddhist belief in the extinction of the self.
The film divides into five sections, each representing the seasons indicated in the movie's title. These seasons are not continuous, and there is a gap of several years between each season. They reflect seasons in a human life too – from boyhood to old age.
If I question the Buddhist ideas presented in Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter…and Spring, am I therefore questioning the value of the film? Does disagreement with some of its ideas mean that I feel the film is not a good one? Certainly not. Every artist uses his medium to present a world that is slanted towards his own beliefs, and Kim Ki-Duk is no exception.
What matters here is not whether we agree with the ideas expressed in the film, but whether the film presents them in an intelligent, interesting and aesthetically pleasing way, and it certainly delivers on this score. Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter…and Spring is a, thought-provoking film that contains arresting imagery and a delicacy of touch. Its gentle soothing pace takes the viewer into a serene world far removed from the whizz-bang of the action movie, and I welcomed that.
I wrote a longer appreciation of Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter...and Spring on my blog page if you would like to read more: https://themoviescreenscene.wordpress.com/2020/06/07/spring-summer-autumn-winterand-spring-2003/
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
09/17/23
Full Review
Leaburn O
Looks lovely but it dragged and the story is really dark in pretty much every way. Not for me thanks.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
06/12/23
Full Review
Joey c
My personal favourite Kim Kiduk's movie~
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
05/25/23
Full Review
Dustin D
Visually stunning and contemplative, but also full of (minor) plot holes.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/28/23
Full Review
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