Sympathy for Lady Vengeance

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 08 May 2005, 01:10

Park Chan-wook's latest film after "OldBoy" and "Cut". It's the last part of his revenge-trilogy. Check it out:

http://home.arcor.de/merdalf/LadyVengenceTeaser.asf

Translation:

Woman 1: (inaudible)
Probably:"Why do you wear that bloody red eye shadow?"

Lady Vengeance: Because I might look too kind........

Title: Kind Ms. Kim-ja

Woman 1: Did you find that guy?

Lady Vengeance: Yeah.

Woman 1: Did you kill him?

Lady Vengeance: Not yet.

Woman 1: Why?

Lady Vengeance: I was too busy.

(montage of clips)

Woman 1: Like saving a dessert for the very end, is that the idea?

Lady Vengeance: Yeah.

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 08 May 2005, 02:27

can't wait

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 08 May 2005, 09:04

lookin good!!

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 08 May 2005, 11:54

Thanks. I can wait though

the68monkey · Post by **the68monkey** » 08 May 2005, 17:38

Anybody seen Lee Young-ae's Korean TV series that's supposed to be so popular in Hong Kong right now? Just curious to know if it's any good, since she really hasn't done much, even though what she has done has been critically acclaimed.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 30 Nov 2005, 13:40

According to LeeYoungAe, SYMPATHY FOR LADY VENGEANCE is being produced in black-and-white and color versions, drawing attention to which version will be shown in theaters. Park had originally planned to gradually desaturate the film over time through digital editing, making it completely black-and-white by the end of the movie.

But when the shoot was finished, he actually liked the color of the film a lot, and it seemed like a waste to throw it away. Unable to make up his mind, he decided to keep working on both versions, one being the original version that loses its color toward the end, and the other being the version that wholly maintains the rich color of the original film.

According to an associate of the film company, "currently post-production is under way for both versions, but it hasn't been decided which version, or whether both, will be screened in theaters." It's also possible that one will be shown in theaters, while the other will only be included on DVD.

_______________________________________________________________________________

As previously reported, Park Chan-Wook was deciding whether to show only the full palette version of 친절한 금자씨 (Sympathy For Lady Vengeance), or both versions. Park and production company Moho Film have finally decided, both versions will be shown.
While the vast majority of prints will feature the full colour version, a "Digital" version will show at DLP-equipped CGV Multiplexes in Yongsan, Gangbyeon and Guro.
This version of the film will gradually fade from full colour to black and white starting from the middle portion, using the Digital Intermediate technology.

http://www.filmacco.com/content/view/299//
http://www.twitchfilm.net/archives/002902.html#more

Also, it's up for pre-order:
http://www.dvdfromkorea.com/shop/p_deta ... enre=Drama

But what a brilliant idea. I hope that both versions will be present on the DVD.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 30 Nov 2005, 14:12

I prefer the coloured version.
That's the version I saw at the cinema and I loved it.

+ I think that Young-Ae's red make-up wouldn't work in Black and White.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 30 Nov 2005, 16:48

Well, it's not that the whole film will be in black and white. But as the film progresses, it slowly fades from a coloured look into a b&w look.

memetic · Post by **memetic** » 01 Dec 2005, 06:48

I wonder what the artistic reason was for doing that? I think the coloured version was fine.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 01 Dec 2005, 12:49

Now that I think about it, all the prison flashbacks at the beginning have a lot of colour.
Then, in the second part of the movie, colours become secondary. The finale with the falling snow would look awesome in black and white.

memetic · Post by **memetic** » 01 Dec 2005, 12:59

Quite possibly. To me, the scene with the snow was the most powerful visually and very "noir" already. I think it would be unnecessary to make this scene black & white and would subtract from what it has achieved in all its colourful and yet still noir glory.

The whole black & white idea seems to be something Chan-wook simply wanted to try. I can't really see it particularly working with this film in any sort of poetic way. It seems strange to apply a linear effect to a film that is quite clearly non-linear in its editing and storytelling. But maybe that's just me.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 02 Dec 2005, 13:16

Korean DVD specs:

Special Features:

DISC 1: Colored Version

- Commentary by Director, Cinematographer and Production Designer
- Commentary by Director and Lee Young-Ae
- DD 5.1, DD 2.0 Audio
- Making of Film
- Deleted Scenes

DISC 2: Gradually Fade to Black & White Version

- Commentary by Korean Critic
- Commentary by Overseas Critic
- DTS Audio
- Short Film by Young Director

8) 8)

Basically Mr Park is saying that he prefers the B&W version (hence the DTS track).

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 02 Dec 2005, 13:26

Wouldn't necessarily say so as disc one also features the making of and the special features. And it also features his commentary. I guess if he preferred the b&w version, his commentary would be on the second disc. But then again we can only speculate. My personal opinion is that he can't decide which is the better version and hence he released both of them.

It's cool that there is also a commentary from an overseas critic. Hope it's in English.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 02 Dec 2005, 13:29

I think I'm gonna buy this edition just to compare the two versions.
Then I'll buy the UK version for the subtitled extras.
Then I'll buy the French version for optimal video+audio+subtitles quality.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 02 Dec 2005, 16:04

When is the film out Tom?

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 02 Dec 2005, 20:31

You mean the Korean DVD release ?
December 26th.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 02 Dec 2005, 21:33

Well I meant any DVD at all actually, but the Korean one's fine

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 02 Dec 2005, 21:56

Not nice the HK dvd is out before Korean.

I may wait for the UK or R1 this time for once.

memetic · Post by **memetic** » 03 Dec 2005, 00:39

Tom2681 wrote:I think I'm gonna buy this edition just to compare the two versions.
Then I'll buy the UK version for the subtitled extras.
Then I'll buy the French version for optimal video+audio+subtitles quality.

That and reading your sig, I take it you really like the film?

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 03 Dec 2005, 01:14

Very very very much.

It's a perfect mixture of:
-Sympathy for Mr Vengeance-style editing and pacing.
-OldBoy-style flashbacks.

When you add a myriad of actors who have worked on Park's previous film and an awesome OST, you get something that's very close to cinematic perfection IMO.

Just talking about it makes me want to see it again.
*Checking*
Yep, it's still showing at my favourite theater...Now I know what to do tomorrow. :mrgreen:

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 04 Dec 2005, 13:46

Phew and I thought I was the only one who was confused by these cuts. How was it shown in cinemas?

I'll wait for the Tartan UK DVD I think. I've not seen the first two installments yet and besides the Tartan DVD is bound have decent extras, DTS + PQ fine for me.

Tom2681 wrote:I think I'm gonna buy this edition just to compare the two versions.

There's no guarantee both will have subs though.

Tom2681 wrote: Then I'll buy the UK version for the subtitled extras.
Then I'll buy the French version for optimal video+audio+subtitles quality.

There's no guarantee of that some of Tartan's DVDs are gorgeous. Just look at ATOTS, Old Boy and 2046 8)

Surely the French version will have subtitled extras?

Tom2681 wrote:Basically Mr Park is saying that he prefers the B&W version (hence the DTS track).

Then why on earth did he record a commentary track for the inferior but not superior version?

Was the coloured version a studio cut?

What cut is the forthcoming (bare-bones + DTS) HK DVD getting? I'm guessing the B&W version???

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 28 Feb 2006, 23:20

Tartan UK R2 details are up:

* Anamorphic Widescreen Presentation
* DD5.1 & DTS 5.1 Surround
* Tartan exclusive interview with Park Chan-wook
* Trailer

Cover art:

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?c ... 60619#7930

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shame Tartan are no longer doing 2 disc releases (it seems). I guess it wasn't fruitful enough.

Why the pointless retitle? Nice cover art though.

I was going to get this but as it only has one extra which is probably no more than 20 minutes I'll get the Korean DVD. It does have two versions of the film after all.

The Korean 2 Discer isn't an LE right?

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 28 Feb 2006, 23:23

Lady Vengeance is the french title.
Tartan are using the french cover as well. :scratch:

The Korean 2 Discer isn't an LE right?

Sure it is.

http://www.dvdasian.com/cgi-bin/dvdasian/20397.html

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 28 Feb 2006, 23:36

Tom2681 wrote:Lady Vengeance is the french title.
Tartan are using the french cover as well. :scratch:

Fingers crossed that will mean decent AV then.

Sure it is.

http://www.dvdasian.com/cgi-bin/dvdasian/20397.html

Thanks.

Is that the only source you could find? I ask as it doesn't look like a LE. There are many standard 2 disc releases like that in Korea. It says SE on the cover.

I ask as I'm in no particular rush to get it but as the Tartan DVD isn't going to come close I'd quite fancy it.
I need to watch my Oldboy first.

jimmyscab · Post by **jimmyscab** » 28 Feb 2006, 23:47

Im pretty sure I saw a poster in London where title was just "Lady Vengeance" as well.

Bullets 'n' Babes

Sympathy for Lady Vengeance

Which is the better version - Colour or Fade to Black?

Sympathy for Lady Vengeance