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Antarctic Journal

Original title: Namgeuk-ilgi
  • 20052005
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
2K
YOUR RATING
Antarctic Journal (2005)
  • Horror
  • Mystery
  • Thriller
Strange things begin happening to an expedition deep in the Antarctic.Strange things begin happening to an expedition deep in the Antarctic.Strange things begin happening to an expedition deep in the Antarctic.
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Pil-sung Yim
  • Writers
    • Lee Hae-jun
    • Bong Joon Ho
    • Pil-sung Yim
  • Stars
    • Song Kang-ho
    • Yoo Ji-Tae
    • Kyeong-ik Kim
Top credits
  • Director
    • Pil-sung Yim
  • Writers
    • Lee Hae-jun
    • Bong Joon Ho
    • Pil-sung Yim
  • Stars
    • Song Kang-ho
    • Yoo Ji-Tae
    • Kyeong-ik Kim
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 15User reviews
    • 20Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win

    Photos

    Antarctic Journal (2005)
    Song Kang-ho in Antarctic Journal (2005)
    Antarctic Journal (2005)
    Song Kang-ho in Antarctic Journal (2005)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Song Kang-ho
    Song Kang-ho
    • Choi Do-hyungas Choi Do-hyung
    Yoo Ji-Tae
    Yoo Ji-Tae
    • Kim Min-jaeas Kim Min-jae
    • (as Yoo Ji-tae)
    Kyeong-ik Kim
    • Yang Geun-chanas Yang Geun-chan
    • (as Kim Kyung-ik)
    Hee-soon Park
    Hee-soon Park
    • Lee Young-minas Lee Young-min
    • (as Park Hee-soon)
    Je-mun Yun
    Je-mun Yun
    • Kim Sung-hoonas Kim Sung-hoon
    • (as Yoon Je-moon)
    Choi Deok-moon
    Choi Deok-moon
    • Seo Jae-kyungas Seo Jae-kyung
    Kang Hye-jeong
    Kang Hye-jeong
    • Lee Yoo-jinas Lee Yoo-jin
    Sam Hammington
    Sam Hammington
    • English Exploreras English Explorer
    • (voice)
    • Director
      • Pil-sung Yim
    • Writers
      • Lee Hae-jun
      • Bong Joon Ho
      • Pil-sung Yim
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Feature film debut by director Pil-sung Yim.

    User reviews15

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Quietly haunting, if not wholly entrancing
    Bleak, beautiful, frozen landscapes and Kenji Kawai's commanding score capture our attention right away and portend dire events to come amidst a creeping atmosphere. The screenplay devised between director Yim Pil-sung and co-writers Bong Joon-ho(!) and Lee Hae-jun wastes no time with exposition, instead filling out character details piecemeal while focusing on plot progression. With these things in mind, it's the patient viewer who will get the most out of this movie: while there are sparing instances of acutely unsettling imagery or loud sound, 'Antarctic journal' is happy to tread at a measured pace and let tension and suspense quietly build along with pervasive, chilling ambience and ambiguous mystery.

    I think the approach to storytelling and film-making here is somewhat daring simply because of how very restrained and subdued the production is. For all the growing intensity, that darkness is dispensed in the screenplay like a trail of breadcrumbs leading to the conclusion, whether considering the personal and interpersonal struggles, or the suggestion of unnatural happenings. Where there isn't a conscious lack of eventfulness in 'Antarctic journal,' instead there's an effort to downplay the incidents that do transpire, and this intention makes it all the more intriguing - though also somewhat difficult to engage with. This is a tale with strong themes of determination, stubbornness, desperation, and madness - a slow-burn psychological thriller that keeps its duality of horror and heartache at a very low, simmering boil. In that bent, it's both captivating and arduous for the viewer.

    I think the technical craft is fine, and the performances of the cast quite good. Yet even the acting of skilled veteran Song Kang-ho is rendered secondary to maintaining the overall bent toward looming unease and disquieting fatefulness. Like the thrust of the narrative and the journey of its expedition, the story marches on regardless of details, and consumes those details in its wake. All told, I don't think this is a movie that would be an easy sell to a wide general audience, as I think the tack it takes requires a certain receptiveness to varied film styles. This is a picture created largely of great nuance in every regard. But any viewer open to hushed, subtle plot development may surely find this a boon.

    If my words seem a little vague, consider that an extension of the air the feature puts forth. To be clear, however - if not entirely fulfilling, 'Antarctic journal' is a solid, rewarding viewing experience, and a swell first foray into feature film-making for director Yim. It's not an easily digestible, dramatic thriller, but nor is it intended to be. This isn't going to be to everyone's tastes, but it's well worth checking out wherever you can watch it.
    helpful•0
    0
    • I_Ailurophile
    • Sep 18, 2021

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 19, 2005 (South Korea)
    • Country of origin
      • South Korea
    • Official site
      • Official site (South Korea)
    • Language
      • Korean
    • Also known as
      • Namgeuk ilgi
    • Filming locations
      • Korea
    • Production company
      • Sidus
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $6,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $5,568,811
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 55 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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