Yok mang (2002) User Reviews

1.5 stars (out of 4)

[mweston · 4/10 · 11 January 2003]

I found little to recommend this film except decent production values and few subtitles to read since there is so little dialog. At least to my western eyes, it seems to consist of random passionless sexual encounters, or worse, random *hostile* sexual encounters punctuated by more hostility (e.g., slaps, spitting in the other's face). The hostility might have been trying to say something, but it wasn't clear to me and it was sure unpleasant to watch. And the rest was just boring.

I need to redo my rating scale so that I can give this even fewer stars, but for now this is about right.

Seen on 11/3/2002 at the 2002 Hawaii International Film Festival. This was the U.S. premiere screening, and the producer (Eun Lee) made a few content-free introductory remarks.

If anyone can explain what the meaning of this film is, please let me know. Seriously.

Desire

[jaberwok-84847 · 5/10 · 6 May 2016]

I don't know that I enjoyed this movie very much, and yet it was an incredible illustration of the modern idea that sex will solve all our problems. Social commentary could be made about staying in a relationship that has clearly become destructive for the people in it. I would also argue that one can strive to stay in a relationship to the point of insanity, and I believe that that is where this story is built.

But, the umbrella over it all is the sex. They define themselves through it, and each other. They use it to communicate and to control. But, for as much energy as they put into it, they never do find any happiness in it. Which is a commentary in itself.

Fantastic study of the loveless

[sain11 · 8/10 · 12 July 2005]

Desire is a fantastic and artistic film. This is not a film for the average multi-plex masses. It is deliberate, ambiguous, thought-provoking, dark, and emotionally-bleak.

The plot revolves around a married couple who seem to have nothing to offer each other, no love, and only inter-dependence based on habit. Both the husband and wife are seeking sex elsewhere, however neither seem to be looking for love, romance or companionship.

The characters are almost exclusively self-obsessed, egotistic, self-destructive, emotional shells. Obviously this makes it difficult for the viewer to connect emotionally with the characters, however, if you look closely you will see parts of yourself in these characters, and you will then find yourself sympathising with them as they unravel.

The production qualities are very high, the acting and direction is superb. This is a film that will stay with you and raise many questions for you to consider about selfishness, life, love, dependence, self-destruction.

I think the most amazing accomplishment by the director Eung-su Kim is that although none of the characters are very likable (even to each other) I found myself drawn to their plight. These are loveless people trapped in their own loveless worlds, and they seem to do everything they can to keep themselves in that state.