Inspired by the novel Fingersmith by British author Sarah Waters, Park Chan-wook (the mad man behind Oldboy, Thirst and Stoker) brings the crime thriller to life with The Handmaiden, which will soon hit Cannes before its theatrical run later this year. I wish I was articulate enough to express the beauty and wonder of Park Chan-wook’s films—I mean ho-ly-shit, have you seen the dude’s filmography?
The Handmaiden is his first feature since Stoker (one of my favorite films ever), and it looks every bit like one would hope—the trailer is void of any dialog, letting sweeping shots and breathtaking visuals do all the talking, and it’s all tied to a beautiful score that is both haunting and intense. While the trailer itself tells us next to nothing, it leaves you wanting so much more. The Handmaiden is out in theaters on October 14th.
1930s Korea, in the period of Japanese occupation, Sookee is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress named Hideko who lives a secluded life on an estate with her domineering Uncle Kouzuki. But the maid has a secret. She and a swindler who poses as a Japanese Count are scheming to get the Lady engaged, rob her fortune, and lock her up in a madhouse. All proceeds according to plan until Sookee starts to truly understand Hideko.
It stars Kim Min-hee, Ha Jung-woo, Kim Tae-ri, and Cho Jin-woong.
I liked this trailer! Okay, so I disliked Oldboy intensely, but I really liked Stoker (I should rewatch that again sometime). Interested to see what I think of this one, though the plot sounds really good. I might have to give Thirst a try sometime, too. People keep recommending it. Heck, I am even sure that you have recommended it to me.
I probably did recommend Thirst to you at one point because I recommend that movie to people all the time! It’s just a great take on vampires and beautifully shot (like most of his movies).