Botong-ui Gajok

Director Hur Jin Ho takes inspiration from Dutch writer's Norman Koch's bestseller "The Dinner" and constructs a very interesting film immersed in Korean culture but very universal in scope. He uses the essential elements of the book's plot but streamlines it to make it more meaningful, more powerful. (It is not often that a film takes the plot of a book and makes it better in its screen version.) Without sermonizing or taking sides, the films ask questions about society, justice, morality, parenthood, values, beliefs, entitlement . By testing the moral strengths of the protagonists, the film makes the audience question their own mettle in limit situations. The imagery is strong enough, but not overwhelming to allow the viewers the personal space to make their own opinions. So is the acting - convincing, without going overboard. After Parasite, I think this is another homerun of the Korean cinema. I would strongly recommend it for viewing in film clubs in universities - our young generation need to see it.