EIFF 2011 – Bleak Night (Pasuggun) Review

3/5

Bleak Night was screened on the 18^th June 2011 at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Following its success at the 2010 Pusan International Film Festival, where it won the New Current Award, Bleak Night has impressed audiences worldwide with its gritty look at teenage relationships and the potential tragedy that can result when friendships fall apart. The debut film from Korean writer director Yoon Sung-hyun is even more notable given that it serves as his graduation project from the Korean Academy of Film Arts. Shot solely on a hand-held camera, its ability to capture the audience’s attention with its realistically grim portrayal of teenage angst is nothing short of commendable.

Set in a relatively humdrum suburb in South Korea, where there is little for youngsters to do, a middle aged father is desperately trying to get in contact with the friends of his deceased son following his apparent suicide.

After much effort tracking down the assorted teenagers, elements of the plot are slotted into place as memories are recounted in the form of flashbacks. Bit by bit the viewer is able to piece together a narrative which paints a picture of a troubled youth who was clearly discontented with life…

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Taken from Subtitled Online, published online Tue Sep 13th 2011.