Collective Invention

Collective Invention is a 2015 South Korean black comedy-drama film that is both highly provocative and ironically humorous. Co-written and directed by Kwon Oh-kwang, the movie brings together a talented ensemble cast, including popular actor Kwang-Soo Lee, versatile actress Cheon-hee Lee, and the youthful and energetic Park Bo-young. The film showcases director Kwon Oh-kwang's distinctive style of comedy, meshing reality and the surreal effortlessly into a compelling narrative.

The film unveils an intriguing plot centering around an ordinary young man, played by Kwang-Soo Lee, who, after voluntarily participating in a pharmaceutical trial, finds himself transformed into a human-fish mutant. The bizarre metamorphosis incites a flurry of media frenzy and a subsequent wave of public reaction that varies from sympathy and support to fear and hostility.

As this unusual saga unfolds, the film introduces its audience to the world of marketing-driven media and its often exploitative approach in a capitalist society. This is brilliantly portrayed through the character of a struggling journalist, portrayed by Cheon-hee Lee, who recognizes the commercial potential of the bizarre mutant case and manipulates the situation to propel his sinking career upwards.

Enter the character of the protagonist's ex-girlfriend, played by Park Bo-young. Struggling with her own existence, and harboring considerable resentment towards Kwang-Soo Lee's character due to their complicated history, she is nonetheless drawn towards him, exhibiting an intriguing mix of sympathy, guilt, and perhaps even love. This film effectively uses the relationship dynamics between these three key characters to explore themes of loneliness, guilt, and the all-consuming quest for recognition and validation in an increasingly commodified world.

The film’s multi-layered plot also successfully highlights critical societal issues such as the corporatization of medicine, media ethics, people's sensationalist tendency and their obsession with appearances. The narrative smoothly transitions between the grotesque, the comical, and the tragic, consistently proving its prowess as a social satire.

Collective Invention further stands out due to its unique, fresh, and innovative storytelling technique. By using the transformation of the central character into a fish-man as a device, the movie cleverly underlines the absurdity of the modern world—morally, politically, and socially. In doing so, it broadens the realm of imagination for the viewers, urging them to question societal norms and their own perceptions, making it a thought-provoking piece of art that is open to multiple interpretations.

Visually, the film is aesthetically appealing, with striking cinematography and remarkable special effects that enhance the story's universe. In particular, the makeup and prosthetics used to bring the fish-man to life deserve special praise for their realism and attention to detail. The original soundtrack suffuses the film with an eerie aura that complements and amplifies the on-screen events.

The performances delivered by the main leads Kwang-Soo Lee, Cheon-hee Lee, and Park Bo-young are commendable. Kwang-Soo Lee, in particular, gives an exceptional performance, capturing the physicality and emotional depth of his character's transformation with a commendable precision that evokes empathy within the audience. Similarly, Cheon-hee Lee portrays his grimy journalist role with convincing cynicism, and Park Bo-young brings a delicate depth to her conflicted character.

In conclusion, Collective Invention is a uniquely creative film that combines reality and fantasy, humor and satire, introspection and social critique into a seamless narrative. This movie will enthrall audiences with its unconventional plot, strong performances, and deep societal commentary. It reminds us that cinema can be a powerful medium for addressing and challenging societal norms and has the potential to make viewers reflect critically on the world around them.