The Last Princess (2016)

It is heavy opera. Nothing light-weight about it. And a rather outrageous (national) affront, too

"The Last Princess" is about Princess Deokhye, the youngest daughter of the 26th and last King Gojong of the Joseon Dynasty. The (sad) story is told in haunting images.


----------------------- SIDE NOTE: --- Historical context of Princess Deokhye ---
Under pressure from Japan, in 1907 the King had to abdicate in favor of prince Sunjong. Princess Deokhye herself wasn´t born at that time, but five years later, in 1912. The former king was then already 60-year-old. Being the daughter of his concubine, Deokhye initially received no official status as a princess. Yet she was very much loved by her father. However, the still young princess had to leave her parents and country at the age of 13 and grew up as a hostage in Japanese exile...
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In taking on the princess´ story, the KMovie is simultaneously portraing a truly gloomy chapter in Korean history. Thus the movie itself makes you feel not only sad but even angry at times. One could say, the plot is about ´makjang´, written by history itself.

Although the historical facts are mixed up with a bit of poetic freedom, this (in my opinion) doesn't detract from the authentic circumstances of the Korean people being oppressed by the Japanese at that time. The producers of the KMovie have been accused of portraying the princess (despite her mental instability) in an overly sympathetic attitude towards the Resistance. Additionally her supposed engagement obviously was fictionally romanticized and falsified for the smoothness of the plot - on the other hand historiography doesn't know everything and why not fill the gaps with life by your own imagination und thus get a lively look&feel of almost forgotten times...

In any case, via the horrified eyes of the princess you will experience what colonialization might have felt like. There is plenty of heart and soul, as Son Ye-jin splendidly brings the tragedy of the princess back to life - with all her traumatization by the numerous personal blows of fate and forced by the historical circumstances of her time. Eventually, the movie brings this traumatic past vividly back to memory for those who experienced it themselves, and closer into the consciousness of today's society as well.

In short: It is heavy opera. Nothing light-weight about it. Nowhere. It is confronting the audience with a rather outrageous national affront. The movie want´s you to make a stand. And it actually succeeds in emotionally catching your compassion.

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I saw this movie as soon as the subs were out. The poster caught my eye and so did the synopsis. I am so glad I watched it. It's a very well-directed and acted film.

FYI it is based on the real life of the last princess of Joseon Dynasty of Korea and her life's events are more or less depicted accurately. Some parts have been dramatized for entertainment but I liked that the major events shown were how they went down in history. It's quite emotional and I think irrespective of the country you are from, you will be able to relate with the pain Korean people went through under Japan's rule.

The casting of the film was on-point. Right from the child actress to Kim So Hyun to Son Ye Jin, everyone portrayed the princess excellently. I felt her pain and sympathized with what might have happened to her. Not only her but so many people in her life were affected because of the Japanese rule and if you look up her life on Wikipedia, it's becomes even more sad.

I love that this movie has an undertone of patriotism throughout and everyone can relate to that. The romance and rebellion is also there but it doesn't ruin or make the movie any heavier than it could have been. It's rather lighter than how I expected it to be. While this princess had a hard life I equally felt for her servants who waited for her for some 40-odd years.

The best part about the movie was the ending. Not only was it inspirational that life can go on in spite of hardships, it shows that this person who went through so much in her life got what she wanted at the end.

Hope everyone watches this film because it will make you respect the princess. The only flaw was the 'villain' because he was a little difficult to be taken seriously. At times it seemed too fictional and that's where the movie got lost a bit.

I commend the nice direction, great costumes, sets and the cast for their acting. Do watch this for a memorable experience.

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