Sado (2015)

Set in 18th century Korea, long-ruling King Yeongjo's struggle with his son, Sado, sees the king take extreme measures in order to deal with his heir.

Director:

Joon-ik Lee

Writers:

Cheol-Hyeon Jo (screenplay), Song-won Lee (screenplay)

Stars:

Kang-ho Song, Ah-In Yoo, Geun-young Moon

22 wins & 39 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Kang-ho Song	...	King Yeongjo
Ah-In Yoo	...	Crown Prince Sado
Geun-young Moon	...	Lady Hyegyeong
Hae-sook Kim	...	Queen Inwon (as Hae-suk Kim)
Won-sang Park	...	Hong Bong-han
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ji-seong Eom	...	Crown Prince Sado (young) (as Ji Sung Uhm)
Hye-jin Jeon	...	Yeong-bin, Lady Yi
Ji-hee Jin	...	Princess Hwawan
So-dam Park	...	Lady Moon
Ye-ji Seo	...	Queen Jeongsun
Ji-seob So	...	King Jeongjo

Storyline

Over a period of eight days, an 18th. century Korean king punishes his only son for attempted regicide. Flashbacks reveal the chain of events that led the son to rebel against his father in this tale of the strained relationships that exist between all fathers (who want their sons to grow into fine and competent men) and their sons (who struggle to prove themselves in order to earn their fathers' respect and approval).

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Plot Keywords:

korean history | father son relationship | 18th century | based on history | royalty | 

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Details

Country:

South Korea

Language:

Korean

Release Date:

16 September 2015 (South Korea)

Also Known As:

A trón

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tiger Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on true historic event called 'Im-o-hwa-byeon' in 1762, which King Yeongjo decreeing Crown prince to climb into and be sealed within a large wooden rice chest. Crown prince died eight days later.

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Quotes

King Yeongjo: [leaning against the rice chest his dead son is locked in, weeping] You... my silly boy... Why did you have to... commit this atrocity?

User Reviews

'How dignified is the arrow which flies so freely' A review of Sado (The Throne)

I walked into this film, with the extent of my knowledge being the drawn portraits of Prince Sado and King Yeongjo floating around google images. By the time I left the cinema, I felt I've become close companions with these men.

There is a tragically mesmerizing direction Lee Joon Ik accomplishes in his intimate insight into the Royal family. It is difficult to project the arduous politics of the kingdom in a way which doesn't diminish the drama, but heightens its emotional punch. Believe me, it's quite a punch. A series of flashbacks investigates how the relationship between King Yeongjo and his son, Crown Prince Sado deteriorates. Essentially showing how a once proud father can condemn his son to a brutal punishment. It's a wonderful piece of film editing, gripping the viewers to a claustrophobic degree as we witness Sado's sufferings, while never losing interest in the family's origins whenever the film jumps back a few years or so.

Perhaps, the greatest element of this film is undoubtedly it's ability to depict deceased historical figures with a brooding complexity and vibrance. Particularly, Yoo Ah In's portrayal of Sado is captivating in its depiction of the man's compassion, thirst for freedom and his eventual conflicted psyche. Never is there once a hint of a stereotypical, one dimensional, cold blooded lunatic. No. This is an incredible portrayal of a human being, as these historical figures were.

The inability to emphasize with and encourage others is a fault exposed here. This is how the film transcends from a dramatic period piece to a work of art which deeply resonates in families caught in strife. It truly is an absorbing insight into life between the palace walls during the height of familial tension, boasting an emotional prowess that would tingle within you for some time. A masterpiece has been extracted from this segment of history.