A series of films directed by Park Chan-wook, including “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance,” “Old Boy,” and “Sympathy for Lady Vengeance,” connected by the theme of revenge and a shared cinematic style.
Published in Chapter:
Vengeance Chronicles: An In-Depth Exploration of Park Chan-wook's Trilogy
Copyright: © 2024
|Pages: 20
DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3693-7416-0.ch004
Abstract
This paper seeks to conduct an in-depth analysis of the central theme of revenge within Park Chan-wook's renowned Vengeance Trilogy, consisting of Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002), Old Boy (2003), and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005). Beyond its narrative role, revenge takes on a dynamic and multifaceted persona, intricately shaping characters, settings, motivations, and cinematic language. From the stark realism of Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance to the chaotic descent in Old Boy and the philosophical nuances in Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, Park guides audiences through a spectrum of emotions. Symbolic use of spaces, from confined environments to symbolic realms, enriches storytelling, emphasizing bipolar power dynamics in imprisonment and revenge. The examination of violence as a narrative tool, interwoven with black humor and alienation effects, adds complexity. This study contributes to the broader exploration of revenge in cinema, enhancing understanding of Park Chan-wook's cinematic style and positioning him as a cultural agent in auteur theory.