Probably one of the more devastating offerings of 2014, Han Gong Ju is a hard film to critique by virtue of its content, which is as controversial and difficult to discuss in real life as it is in the world of this film. The acting was absolutely phenomenal, as Chun Woo Hee holds the weight of the film by virtue of her huge, expressive eyes. She's perfectly cast as a girl whose presence is almost ephemeral, with the effects of her story slowly causing her to disintegrate.

While the director deserves acknowledgment of his dedication to this story and in bringing it to the spotlight, there are areas of the film where there was need for a more skilled, tighter hand. Nonlinear storytelling and an unreliable protagonists causes some confusion for viewers, especially those who might not be a native Korean speaker. Yet the overall moody and haunting atmosphere highlighted by a skilled use of light and music accentuates the ultimate tragedy of the film.

This is not a film that most people would rewatch; pre-knowledge of Gong Ju's story leaves the audience emotionally wracked and exhausted even before the first few minutes of the film. However, it is an important film all the same.

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