THE KING AND THE CLOWN 2005
BY
Joon Ik Lee
(KOREAN FILM)
THERE WAS A TYRANT WHO RULED OVER KOREA AT THE TURN OF THE 16TH CENTURY. This is the story of his excesses and the tragedy that befell him. He belonged to the CHOSUN dynasty that ruled Korea from 14th to 20th cent and produced 27 kings.
A country fool (a folk entertainer) runs away from his native place with a girl, who plays with him but masquerades as a boy. The couple find themselves in Seoul. It is here that they decide to attract the attention of the king by mocking him and his consort publicly. Ribald buffoonery gets them far and the King takes to their antics but ends up losing his heart to the boygirl. Courtiers, ministers, women keep losing lives around the tyrant, as the clown also fells out of favour of the king and his consort. Predictably, the king is deposed towards the end.
More than the movie’s plot, it’s the folk performances that capture attention. The rope tricks, the jest acts, puppeteering and dances steal the show. The director transports the audience to early 16th century Korea and creates a visual feast to savour.
A good and engaging film. Definitely a one-time watch.
#clown #periodfilm #chosun #tyrant #King
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