Monday, October 11, 2010

Program 18: A Frozen Flower

One of my absolute favorite films in this year's festival, A Frozen Flower is an epic in the best sense, and it truly has something for everyone. I've heard some great reactions from people who were at the screening this evening, so keep the feedback coming!

46 comments:

  1. HUGE film! The sets and costumes were among the best I have seen. Very interesting story, and some great fight scenes.

    Thanks to Michael and the Programming Committee for bringing us this rare gem!

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  2. A true tragedy in the classical sense-was blown away. Thank you for this film.

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  3. I agree with both the previous posters. This film is probably one of my favorites from ImageOut ever. It was beautiful to look at...the story was riveting & tragic. It's been two days and I still can't get it out of my head. Thanks!

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  4. This one really took my breath away. The twists and turns were amazing, and the scenery and detail was just unbelievable. This made Memoirs of a Geisha look like a grainy early Bruce Lee flick. :)

    I truly hope this sees an extended showing in the US, and is available for import some time soon.

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  5. To get a film that is not widely seen is not common in the festival circuit. This particular one was a coup for ImageOut.
    For starters, it was a gorgeous film to watch. There was glorious color in every scene. The acting was not overdone in the least and the direction helped to illustrate the beauty of the movie.
    The plot was very compelling. The action and the tragic quality of the film kept the audience's full attention. People literally gasped at the ending.
    It has been several days since I saw the film and it is still with me. It is like finding an unknown restaurant, unexpectedly enjoying a delicious meal, and wanting to taste and enjoy it yet again, and the sooner the better.

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  6. Yeah, I enjoyed this one. I loved at the end when he asked "Did you ever have any feelings of love for me?" and the other guy answers "No, never" and of course we're all like "He's obviously lying!"

    The costumes were great and everything was beautifully choreographed. Even the fight scenes were done well, even if they were a bit too bloody! :)

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  7. An absolute winner! Wow - I and most of the people around me were on the edge of our seats for most of the movie.

    I literally had everything AND that kitchen sink in it.

    I think what I enjoyed most about the film was when the Emperor asks him if he ever, at any moment, loved him, and he says "No!" with conviction. Ouch! Damn! That was killer. However, once they both die and they are off hunting together as based on the Emperor's painting, it seemed to indicate that they did actually love one another; it was a love that transcended this plain and into the next.

    Like Jim wrote: THANK YOU! This was amazing.

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  8. Very pleased that this film was very much appreciated by the audience. And for the most part, people overlooked the violence for the substance and the amazing story. The only problem with bringing a great film like this is its cost, especially that the print for this had to be shipped directly from Korea! But it was all worth it.

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  9. From the ballots:
    Great costumes and sets!

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  10. From the ballots:
    Touchy and ouchy!

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  11. From the ballots:
    As the phrase goes, "Love makes him weak" regardless he's straight or gay. Kind of annoying in life but the movie is quite interesting. Gorgeous Korean male lover!

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  12. From the ballots:
    Good but boring compared to Undertow.

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  13. From the ballots:
    Wonderfully bloody. See where lies, broken promises and secrets will get you? Good film.

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  14. From the ballots:
    Extremely moving.
    Superbly written.

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  15. From the ballots:
    WOW!!! This is a movie that will be talked about for a long time.

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  16. From the ballots:
    Great plot and execution!

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  17. From the ballots:
    Excellent! Sad story but well done.

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  18. From the ballots:
    This is the best movie in the festival! Great impact and most gorgeous film. Every scene was fantastic!

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  19. From the ballots:
    Excellent. More proof that f_cking women is bad.

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  20. From the ballots:
    Loved it. Korea does Shakespeare?

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  21. From the ballots:
    Thank you for bringing this excellent film!!!

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  22. From the ballots:
    S U M P T U O U S!

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  23. From the ballots:
    Quite a treat!

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  24. From the ballots:
    So glad you brought it!

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  25. From the ballots:
    Superb!
    Hated the hetero sex.
    Loved the story, plot and ending.
    Hot guys!

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  26. From the ballots:
    Maybe my face so far -- this or Undertow. GREAT!

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  27. From the ballots:
    A really, really EXCELLENT film!

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  28. From the ballots:
    Above excellent!
    Historical drama, gorgeous.
    Not just for gay!
    All around great.

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  29. From the ballots:
    Visually beautiful!!!!
    Great story and great ending.
    Could have taken place today!

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  30. From the ballots:
    It was a good movie with tons to look at and tons of action.

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  31. From the ballots:
    Unbelievable.
    PG-13

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  32. From the ballots:
    Best movie I have seen in a long time. Story was touching. Gay is normal!

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  33. From the ballots:
    Excellent. Very unusual. Would not have thought of it happening.

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  34. From the ballots:
    Amazing! A real tear jerker.

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  35. From the ballots:
    Epic!!!

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  36. From the ballots:
    Beautiful story.
    Scenery was fantastic.
    Great acting.

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  37. From the ballots:
    It was so gay as Michael G. said, but I enjoyed the sex and violence.

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  38. From the ballots:
    Excellent. Intense!

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  39. From the ballots:
    Excellent but bloodier than I prefer. Intense.

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  40. From the ballots:
    A fantastic choice!

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  41. From the ballots:
    Simply the best ... ever!

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  42. From the ballots:
    Spectacular! Beautiful, poignant, tragic ... the list goes on. This film is Shakespearean in every way. I gasped, yelped, and held my breath to the point of asphyxiation! Bravo!

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  43. From the ballots:
    An epic, tragic, and beautiful film.

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  44. From the ballots:
    Subtitles were really hard to read but amazing story.
    Excellent choice!
    Little strange ending before credits ...

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  45. From the ballots:
    Just beyond excellent!

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  46. From the ballots:
    Yeah, I think the movie was a little more queer than South Korea thought. All of the films you've brought from S Korea over the years have been great. This was a grand epic beautiful film like back in the heyday of Ben Hur and The Ten Commandments style films.

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