[Movie Review 300] Solidarity cries out at the end of the filmography

[Seoul = Newsis] Reporter Jeongbin Son = Introducing new and recently released films in the third week of January. Although there is only one movie to mention this week, the weight of this work is no less than three or four movies. “My Old Oak” is a new film by Ken Loach, a British master who mainly tells the stories of workers and common people and is known as a “blue-collar poet.” Director Roach, born in 1936, said this would probably be his last film. It would be meaningful to look at what the veteran director wants to say as he concludes his filmography.

◇Sincere advice from a real adult… my old oak

‘My Old Oak’ talks about solidarity. Of course, this may be new to some people. Because it is a word that is mentioned numerous times not only in movies but also anywhere where people are present. Director Ken Loach nevertheless appeals that this is the only way he can do it. There is no other way to endure a difficult life, or to live without dying, than to gather strength. I’m not saying that if we work together, everything will be fine. This means that if there is any hope, it cannot be found outside of solidarity. In an age where hatred has become a trivial matter, the old man’s direct words seem particularly poignant.

◇Inevitable limitations… Aliens + Humans Part 2

The saying that ‘Aliens+Part 1’ is better than ‘Aliens+Part 2’ is in fact a statement. Isn’t it natural that a story that contains the most important parts and has a moment of resolution feels better than a story that just unfolds a lot? ‘Alien+Human’ The most critical weakness of a two-part series is that Part 1 is incomplete without Part 2, and Part 2 is also incomplete without Part 1. If each film does not have its own integrity, there is no reason to divide the film into two and release them at intervals. It must be acknowledged that it was an ambitious plan, but it cannot be denied that it was an unsuccessful plan.

◇The sound of Kim Dae-jung… Kim Dae-jung on the road

The documentary film ‘Kim Dae-jung on the Road’ is, to put it kindly, a classic film, but to be honest, it is tacky. One cannot expect much formal fun from this work. Instead, a person named Kim Dae-jung makes up for everything. This work depicts the process from the time young Kim Dae-jung devoted himself to politics until he overcame all kinds of adversity and ran for the 13th presidential election in 1987. ‘Kim Dae-jung on the Road’ shows the life of Kim Dae-jung and at the same time looks at Korean modern and contemporary history through the prism of Kim Dae-jung. Everyone who sees this movie will have similar thoughts. How great it would be if there were one more person like Kim Dae-jung in the 2024 political scene filled with disgust and hatred.

◇Without self-pity or hope… no bears

Isn’t this what a master’s skill is like? ‘No Bears’ is the personal story of director Jafar Panahi, a story about Iranian society, and a story about film art. This work combines three different stories organically to become one movie. Moreover, what does this cool-headed perception of reality mean? The perspective of this film, devoid of any self-pity or hope, chills the viewer. However, this work is not filled with only cynicism. A clear perception of reality is the first step to solving problems. If you want to fully enjoy ‘No Bears’, you must know about Jafar Panahi.

☞ Sympathetic Media Newsis jb@newsis.com