forbidden quest

no.130 Forbidden Quest

This movie was absolutely fabulous, and I don't mean that in a campy, English, fag hag way. This was a stunning take on what we consider the first amendment and how its non-existence affected lives in Korea. I can't help but think of the Marquis de Sade and smile ;) This is something you definitely want to watch with friends. I mean, it's not like Knocked Up's Flesh of the Stars, but think 18th century Korea. Yeah, it's a stretch, but if you watch it, you'll know exactly what I mean!

The story follows the preeminent writer/scholar and his adventure to find new passion in his writing. At first, he is shocked when he is given a piece of erotic pulp, even more so when he realizes the money that is made. This begins his exploration into thoughts and feelings on paper which elicit the "flavor of life." He starts to drop his pretensions and high rank by taking off his noble hat in front of the lower class, dons sunglasses like the other writers he feels are below him, but it's like he's shedding his skin, reminds me of what might have happened in the 60s when folks started dressing down, realising that the high maintenance of presentation wasn't warranted.

There's a high importance placed on cowardice. He's too subtle, he's one to put his head down and follow a path laid before him. His family feels he is a coward for not pursuing any sort of vengeance for his brother's death, when in fact, moving within the King's Court, he has the power to do so, but will ruffle feathers, totally against his nature. However, he has the balls to write and distribute illicit material with full illustrations based on his affair with the Queen.

Ultimately, this is a story about societal restraint - there is what is expected of us within the bounds of society and what it needs us to do, then there is our natural curiosity that leads us into darker corners, pulls us in. Treason and imprisonment are the end game but our man show not only lack of cowardice but the strength in his bonds of camaraderie.

I can't begin to touch on the great scenes, the collaboration of questionable men with a noblemen, the shenanigans involved. In order for the illustrator to understand what he is to draw, the old man is used to practice "tactical maneuvers", but at a point, he is dismissed because he's too old and not flexible enough to pose.