Jibeuro (2002)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Jeong-hyang Lee

Writer:

Jeong-hyang Lee (writer)

Release Date:

5 April 2002 (South Korea)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Discover the magical movie that has captured the heart of a nation.

Plot:

Seven-year-old Sang-woo is left with his grandmother in a remote village while his mother looks for work...

Plot Keywords:

Grandmother Grandson Relationship

Awards:

7 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Eul-boon Kim	...	Grandmother
Seung-ho Yu	...	Sang-woo
Hyo-hee Dong	...	Sang-woo's Mother
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kyung-hyun Min	...	Cheol-e
Eun-kyung Yim	...	Hae Yeon

Also Known As:

The Way Home (International: English title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for mild thematic elements and language.

Runtime:

80 min | Argentina:89 min (Mar del Plata Film Festival) | Canada:85 min (Toronto International Film Festival) | Canada:88 min

Country:

South Korea

Language:

Korean

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Singapore:G | Switzerland:0 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Australia:PG | Germany:o.Al. | Sweden:Btl | Argentina:Atp | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG | Mexico:A | South Korea:All | Spain:T | Taiwan:GP | UK:U | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Jeetongma, Choongbuk Province, South Korea

Company:

CJ Entertainment

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

A lesson in simplicity: or, less is more

After reading comments about this film by folks expecting some "big payoff" in the end and being disappointed, wanting to tweak the script to make it more exciting, surprised the grandmother didn't "shout" at the boy (are you for real?), that they were "bored" and the story was "depressing", I simply don't believe many of these people actually watched the movie. Maybe it's the lack of skill reading subtitles, the patience of a long-tailed-cat with ADD in a room full of rocking chairs, or ignorance of any other culture other than their own. Who knows? Maybe film class does have its merits. Some people need to be taught how to watch a movie.

I felt compelled to comment on this film because of its simplicity. I recently watched "Rabbit- Proof Fence" whose filmmakers fascinated me with their desire to utilize simple, native folk as actors. The actions and emotions portrayed in 'The Way Home' were simple, and with few words, a few gestures, sometimes one can say more than what's contained in a volume of text. I admire a filmmaker who can use the entire screen to tell a story, and make the audience feel without having to say a word. Even the music was quiet, and used sparingly.

'The Way Home' is a fine, brief glimpse into a culture clash between young and old, rich and poor (of money, and of spirit). I think it's also an important film for western cultures to embrace, since respect for our elders seems to have fallen by the wayside.