So I'm home in NY for my mom's birthday [it was yesterday and we feasted!] and that means I get to read the physical, paper version of the NY Times Magazine! Oh how I love this thing. It is probably my single favorite thing to read. Sure I can read it online, but there's something about it. I love to just sit down and read the longer articles while not sitting in front of a screen.
This week, there's a cover story on El Salvador. Why El Salvador? Because they are a nation that criminalizes abortion. I haven't read it yet, but that's next and should prove to be very interesting as that is where this country of ours is heading, and quickly.
The first article I read was this one on Park Chanwook, a newish Korean director known for his über violent revenge themed films. It played in the 2005 Philadelphia Film Festival, but it was sold out the three times I went to see it. It came out on DVD last month and I bought it and watched it on the edge of my seat. I don't think I wrote about my thoughts on that film, I should do that later...
The article took me deeper into Park's mind and the experiences that formed his filmmaking tendencies of today. He spoke of his own guilt in sitting idly by during his childhood as he saw his peers protesting in the streets of Korea during an oppressive state. The article discussed several of his other films which I now very much want to find, buy and watch. This genre of 'Asian Extreme' is a large genre which clumps together probably more than it should, but Park's films belong squarely within it methinks.
It's always interesting to read articles focussing on directors, creative people in general. In particular, articles on people whose work I've taken in and enjoyed. Whether it be film, photo, audio or whatnot. I very much enjoyed doing several interviews over on Philly Future with some local photographers. I gotta work on a new one, but maybe next month after I get some breathing room after the May 16th Democratic primary.
Hey Albert, check out this interview. It addresses this article, and it fascinating/terrifying.
Posted by: Marisa | April 09, 2006 at 08:27 PM