The Host

Gwoemul

(South Korea, 2006, 118 mins, 35mm)

writer: Bong Joon-ho, Hah Joon-won, Baek Chul-hyun
cinematography: Kim Hyung-goo
production design: Ryu Seong-hee
visual effects supervisor: Kevin Rafferty
wardrobe: Cho Sang-kyung
executive producer: Choi Yong-bae, Kim Woo-taek, Jeong Tae-sung
producer: Choi Yong-bae
co-producer: Joh Neung-yeon
cast: Song Kang-ho, Byun Hee-bong, Park Hae-il, Bae Doo-na, Ko A-sung

Fifty-odd years after Godzilla v.1.0, America’s imperial recklessness has birthed a new Asian cine-monster. Born of toxic chemicals dumped into the Han River, a slimy behemoth rises from the shore to terrorize Seoul. When the monster captures a young girl, it falls on her amiably dysfunctional family to save the day. Director Bong Joon-ho juggles sci-fi thrills, slapstick comedy, and subtle political critiques to create a lively genre mash-up that puts most American blockbusters to shame. Big-screen entertainment of the highest order, Bong’s beloved international breakthrough seemingly managed to please everyone: the critics fawned, the geeks geeked out, and the popcorn crowd made it the top-grossing South Korean film of all time. To no one’s great surprise, both a South Korean sequel and an American remake (produced by Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski) are in the works, so savor this unsullied crowdpleaser while you can. “This movie will be appreciated for years to come because of what happens in the 100 minutes after the beast is unveiled. Joon-ho’s decision to blow a large chunk of his special effects budget in one early scene takes away the young director’s safety net, and it forces him to prove his mettle with story and substance. The end result is a great piece of filmmaking and a legitimate science-fiction/horror classic.” — Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle. Starring Song Kang-ho (Memories of Murder, WFF10; Secret Sunshine, The Show Must Go On, WFF09; Lady Vengeance, WFF06) and Bae Doo-na (Barking Dogs Never Bite, WFF10; Linda Linda Linda, WFF07). Best Film, 2006 Blue Dragon Awards (South Korean Oscars). 2006 Cannes, Toronto, and New York Film Festivals.

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