Chihwaseon (Korea) (2002)

October 22, 2007 · Posted in Award Winning, Drama, Historical, Korean Movies

Chiwaseon

In a time of political and social unrest in 19th century Korea, an uncouth, self-taught painter explores his natural talent amidst the repressive world around him.

Renowned director IM Kwon-taek’s ninety-fifth film tells the story of renowned nineteenth-century painter JANG Seung-up (Choi Min-Sik), an artist whose revolutionary work - and persona - has forever changed the face of Korean art.

The story begins in the 1850s, when KIM Byung-moon (AHN Sung-ki) saves the young JANG Seung-up from being beaten by a group of drifters. In return, JANG draws him a picture, and as Kim carefully examines the child’s rough drawing, he notices the extraordinary potential of the young boy. Years later, KIM Byung-moon becomes JANG Seung-up’s mentor and encourages him to pursue the life of an artist. KIM eventually gives JANG the pen name of Oh-won.

JANG Seung-up eventually leaves his house and wanders about in pursuit of “true art,” soon realizing that it is through pleasure that he can produce his greatest works. Oh-won’s life is thus marked by the paradox of his inspiration derived by addiction to alcohol and convoluted love affairs with women.

As JANG continues to search for artistic transcendence, he stretches the limits of traditional Korean art, rapidly becoming a worldwide artistic reference - and one of Korea’s national legends.

Cast: Min-sik Choi, Sung-kee Ahn, Ho-jeong Yu, Yeo-jin Kim, Ye-jin Son
Directed: Im Kwon-Taek
Genre: Drama/Historical
Runtime: 117 minutes
Also Known As: Strokes of Fire, Painted Fire, Drunk on Women and Poetry
Country: Korea
Language: Korean
Subtitles: English
IMDB: www.imdb.com/title/tt0317234/