directed by Jero Yun
I’ve just finished this year’s Asian film festival and today I’d like to recommend you a production that has stayed and will stay with me for a long time I guess. I’m taking you to South Korea where we’ll meet Jina (Sung-mi Lim). She’s a young refugee from North Korea and has just finished her social adjustment trainings (basically, helping her understand the life in South Korea and making sure she’ll manage in a different reality). Jina needs to start everything over and she’s trying to work hard to save money. She gets a cleaning job at one boxing club and, even though at first it’s just a random workplace for her, she becomes more and more interested in this sport. Especially since there are also women training there, which inspires Jina to try boxing herself. Being honest, I totally didn’t expect this production to amaze me. I’m not a big fan of sport films, especially not about boxing. But I’m a stubborn viewer – I like questioning my preferences and keep widening my horizons. So sometimes I push myself to watching such films. And I’m glad I do, because otherwise I wouldn’t have seen this beautiful South Korean gem. Maybe the story is simple, maybe it’s a bit predictable, but I was absolutely stunned by Sung-mi Lim who played the role of Jina. I have no idea how the actress did that, but she showed a huge range of emotions by… not showing them. Her character is very calm, focused, a quiet observer, while deep inside you can see anger, fear, sorrow and many many more. I couldn’t look away from the screen because of her and if that’s where Asian acting is going, then yes please! I want more! Take away! Absolutely marvellous. It’s one of the best (if not the best) films I’ve seen during the festival and if you’ll have a chance to watch it, don’t even think of rejecting it. I swear, it’ll touch your hearts and make you speechless several times.
My rating: 7/10
S.
I have nothing to watch 