Pieta

Pieta is a 2012 South Korean drama-thriller film directed by one of South Korea's most renowned auteurs, Kim Ki-duk. In the lead roles, the film stars Min-soo Jo, Lee Jung-Jin, and Ki-Hong Woo, who deliver powerful performances that complement Kim Ki-duk's unique storytelling style and the poignant, sinewy narrative of the film.

The title of the film, "Pieta", references the iconic artwork by Michelangelo, which shows the Virgin Mary cradling the body of Jesus after the crucifixion. This references subtly echo throughout the film's story, resonating through its exploration of sorrow, sacrifice, and redemption.

The film follows the gritty life of Kang-do (Lee Jung-Jin), a cruel and ruthless man who works as a loan shark in a stark and impoverished industrial area. Kang-do is feared and despised by those around him, living a solitary and cold life without family or friends, his only company being the bleak industrial landscape that surrounds him and the desperate people he victimizes to survive.

Kang-do's harsh existence is contrasted starkly when a mysterious woman, Mi-son (Min-soo Jo), appears claiming to be his long-lost mother who abandoned him at birth. This sudden appearance disturbs Kang-do's lonely life as he is forced to grapple with feelings of anger, disbelief, and confusion.

The plot thickens and slowly lures you into its intricate layers, delicately unfolding the relationship between the brutish Kang-do and the seemingly submissive Mi-son, altering his life and theirs drastically and irreversibly. The movie unravels the complexities of human relationships, maternal love, forgiveness, and retribution in an intensely emotional journey.

Pieta is no everyday drama. It delves deep into the dark underbelly of society, unflinchingly depicting a brutal and pitiless environment, full of violence and despair, as a backdrop to this intense psychological drama where characters thirst for money, redemption, and maternal affection.

Director Kim Ki-duk’s emphasis on visuals over dialogue, a common theme in many of his films, is also evident in Pieta. The environment, machinery, and grinding poverty serve as powerful long-wordless scenes that provide a vivid, uncompromising setting for the unfolding drama.

Lee Jung-Jin's unforgettable portrayal of Kang-do brings to life a character whose everyday existence is a testament to human cruelty and callousness, while at the same time echoing the desperate search for love hidden beneath his tough exterior. Min-soo Jo's portrayal of Mi-son is an embodiment of hope and redemption, balancing the harshness portrayed by Kang-do.

Pieta won the Golden Lion at the 69th Venice International Film Festival, becoming the first Korean film to receive this honor, reaffirming Kim Ki-duk's exceptional talent in filmmaking. Despite its dark themes and extreme presentation of life on the fringes of society, the film manages to evoke profound contemplation about what it means to be human, the capacity for change, and the transformative power of love.

With its minimalist yet impactful dialogue, powerful performances, Kim Ki-duk's signature style storytelling, and its raw and unflinching look at the underbelly of society, Pieta is a gripping, unforgettable foray into dark, psychological drama. It's a film that sweeps you up in its raw emotions, challenging your views about humanity, redemption, and forgiveness.

Those who choose to delve into the intensity of this award-winning film are in for a journey that, while disturbing in its piercing portrayal of cruelty, ultimately offers a hard-hitting exploration of redemption and sacrifice. Be forewarned: Pieta is not a film for the faint-hearted but for those who appreciate cinema that challenges, provokes and awakens, it is a journey worth taking.