While perhaps not as internationally revered as fellow directors Park Chan Wook (OLD BOY) and Bong Joon Ho (MEMORIES OF MURDER, MOTHER), South Korean producer, writer, director and sometime actor Ryoo Seung Wan has enjoyed some exposure on these shores with DVD releases of his modern day action fantasy ARAHAN and the KILL BILL inspired THE CITY OF VIOLENCE. Ryoo has of late moved beyond his action genre origins, as evidenced with his latest police corruption saga, THE UNJUST. His critically revered 2000 debut, DIE BAD is yet to receive a UK release but remains ripe for discovery, as it showcases the origins of a talented young film maker.

Ostensibly a collection of 4 shorts exploring the theme of violence and its omnipresence within Korean society, Ryoo employs a very sparse, yet vibrant approach to these distinct genre-crossing vignettes. Beginning with Rumble, a billiard hall set scrap between rival students ends in an accidental death, the consequences of which are subsequently explored. The ghost story, “Nightmare” follows Park Sung Bin, newly released from prison, but whose latent violent urges inexorably draw him towards a criminal life. The humorous, mockumentary stylings of “Modern Man” contrast an extended car park set brawl with direct to camera confessionals from Park’s gang boss and a former childhood friend Suk-Hwan, now a policeman. The black and white lensed final part, “Die Bad”, brings events full circle as Park faces Suk-Hwan, while his younger brother’s life hangs in the balance.

Shot on unused film stock over a period of 3 years, DIE BAD is an undeniably grainy looking affair, but this lack of polish serves it well alongside the earthy, foul-mouthed dialogue and its unpolished realistic action scenes. As a whole it represents an interesting example of a director’s development, experimenting with different forms and genres, although certain artistic flourishes have to be overlooked from the point of youthful endeavour – overuse of heavy metal music during action scenes is one such offence. What raises this film above the level of adolescent, however, is the over-arching social commentary which ascribes institutions such as education, the police and even the family in the engendering of violence in society. Far from a glamorous portrait of masculinity in crisis, DIE BAD, despite its flaws, is a thoughtful cut above its action movie peers.

A retrospective of director Ryoo Seung Wan is currently being shown as part of The London Korean Film Festival 2011, with Ryoo in attendance for the closing night gala of his latest film, The Unjust. 

Ryoo will be attending the Cambridge screening of DIE BAD this weekend, Friday 18th at 6pm.  Book tickets here.