#576: CHANG-DONG, Lee: Secret Sunshine (2007)

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CHANG-DONG, Lee (South Korea)
Secret Sunshine [2007]
Spine #576
Blu-ray


A master of intensely emotional human dramas, director Lee Chang-dong is a luminary of contemporary Korean cinema, and his place on the international stage was cemented by this stirring and unpredictable work examining grief and deliverance. An effortless mix of lightness and uncompromising darkness, Secret Sunshine (Miryang) stars Cannes best actress winner Jeon Do-yeon as a widowed piano teacher who moves with her young son from Seoul to her late husband's provincial hometown for a fresh start. Quietly expressive, supple filmmaking and sublime, subtle performances distinguish this remarkable portrayal of the search for grace amid tragedy.

142 minutes
Color
5.1 Surround
in Korean
2:35:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2011
Director/Writers


Original story by Yi Chong-Jun.
Lee Chang-Dong was 53 when he wrote and directed Secret Sunshine.

The Film

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Twenty-page booklet featuring an essay by film critic Dennis Lim.

Commentary

None.

Video interview

With the director.

On the set

Of Secret Sunshine, a behind-the-scenes video piece featuring interviews with actors Jeon and Song.
U.S. theatrical trailer

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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