The Bacchus Lady

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The Bacchus Lady

2016

1h 50m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

So-young, an aged prostitute, hears the news that Song, one of her regulars, had a stroke, so she visits the hospital to see if he is fine. Then, she gets confused because Song pleads with her to kill him.

Phil Hoad

Guardian

10/18/2021

3/5

A worthwhile, idiosyncratic film anchored with charismatic resignation by Youn.

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Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

The Blue Lenses

08/25/2018

Together, Youn Yuh-jung and E J-yong add a poignancy and subtlety to the story of this particular Bacchus Lady in a movie that in lesser hands could collapse into gratuitous exploitation.

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Andrew Heskins

easternKicks.com

09/23/2020

4/5

Youn Yuh-jung stars in E J-Yong's comedy-drama about elderly sex workers...

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Tori Brazier

One Room With A View

03/13/2019

4/5

The Bacchus Lady is a twist on the tale of a hooker with a heart of gold, and this time it's a deliciously dark heart beating underneath all of its brushings-off.

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Panos Kotzathanasis

HanCinema

12/16/2018

The eventually film becomes subtler, after having presented realistically, the actual work conditions of these women while Lee retains a relaxed rhythm, although the utterly sad ending sets things straight, regarding the reality of So-yeong's life.

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Sarah Ward

Concrete Playground

11/29/2016

Neither storyline plays out as you might expect, and nor does the resulting emotional impact.

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Madam D

Mar 18

Even if you think subtitles are not for you, this is a movie you have to see. Growing old alone, especially without money, is shown in realistic detail. The talented, beautiful Youn Yuh-Jung plays the part of an aging woman who lives a tough life.

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12/02/2021

The best Korean movie.

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04/28/2021

Sad.. sad.. and sad.

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09/09/2020

didnt expect, but one of the best movie that i watched. showing ppl at the bottom of their society where there is no protection and help from anywhere

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08/28/2018

A wonderful real-life portrait of the korean social phenomenon of "bacchus ladies", elder prostitutes, sometimes in their 80s, who offer sexual services in parks and cheap hotels to support themselves. It also explores, with great poetry and tenderness, the themes of life, death and acceptance. A great portrait of how greed and modernity destroy a traditional life system based on values, family and mutual assistance. Absolutely not to be missed.

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04/18/2017

So many feeling and thoughts watching this sad but heartwarming-in-its-own-way movie. I started cringing watching how the main character makes her ends meet but she also carries on and contributes to her surroundings to the farthest extent that she knows how.

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Je-yong Lee

Director

Youn Yuh-jung

So-young

Jeon Moo-song

Jae-woo

Yoon Kye-sang

Do-hoon

Ye Soo-jung

Bok-hui

Jo Sang-geon

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Synopsis

So-young, an aged prostitute, hears the news that Song, one of her regulars, had a stroke, so she visits the hospital to see if he is fine. Then, she gets confused because Song pleads with her to kill him.

Director: Je-yong Lee
Screenwriter: Je-yong Lee
Production Co: Korean Academy of Film Arts
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Korean
Runtime: 1h 50m