Park Sang-Hyun presents its second feature film “Innocence” in the program of this year's Florence Korea Film Fest. The director and actor created an intriguing thriller with a series of impressive characters.
“Innocence” is screening at the Florence Korea Film Fest
At the centre of the story is the young advocate Jun-hin. She is very successful and known for her determination. In fact, she is able to prove innocence even when all the evidences are against the defendant. Her next apparently hopeless case concerns her own mother. The latter is accused of having poisoned some of the guests at the funeral of her husband. Forensic found rat poison in the wine. Jun-hin immediately notices that the investigation lacks professionalism. It seems clear that everyone is eager to close the case as soon as possible. Jun-hin's mother is the easiest culprit. For Jun-hin it is very difficult to build up the defense. Her mother has dementia and is not in a condition to defend herself. Moreover, she can easily be manipulated.
To use dementia as a narrative element is a very intelligent idea. It adds an additional layer to the already complicated storyline. The viewer as well as the protagonists can't never be exactly sure of what really happened. A series of unexpected twists makes the film thrilling. And the further the story progresses, the deeper the abysses open up.
One of the most impressive characters is the candidate for mayor. It is revealed, step by step, what a criminal net he spun. Corruption, greed, hunger for power all drive this person to lie, cheat and murder. It's a pessimistic view of mankind that the film depicts. People are willing to do everything for profit. Huh Joon-ho, who plays the role of the ruthless politician stands out with his accurate performance.
His counterpart are Shin Hye-sun as Jun-hin and Bae Jong-ok as her mother. Both female characters complement each other well. The relationship between mother and daughter form another important axis of the thriller. The daughter has always misunderstood her mother and didn't have respect for her for staying with a violent husband. Years after they split, she can finally empathize with her.
Director Park associates motherhood with sacrifice. The mother in the film takes everything on her in order to protect her children. At some points the script gets a bit over-emotional. But overall, the movie convinces, thanks also to a mature and consistent visual concept. Cinematographer Yoo Il-Seung is very close to the characters and evokes an intimate atmosphere. His camera work is sophisticated. The original and elegant framing of the pictures is striking.
Referring to its title, no one is really innocent here, whether in the concrete or figurative sense. It's this multi-layered construct that makes “Innocence” so entertaining. Its talented cast functions as a well harmonized orchestra. And on a formal level the movie convinces thanks to a refined aesthetics.
