Dir.: Chan-wook Park

I honestly don't even know where to start... This is one of those films that I find EXTREMELY hard to describe or to write about. Also, a Flixster friend of mine (one of the people I have most in common with) has already said pretty much everything there is to say... I guess I'll just have to make it simple: I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK is, for me, one of the most original and smart films I've ever seen. An endlessly precious achievement (another one) from one of the most brilliant and visionary minds making films today: Chan-wook Park.



The name, for close followers of Asian cinema, is no longer unknown. Has become a reference (a legend quiçá, in a near future) and an almost immediate reminder of some of the best dark, violent and powerful films we had the chance to see in the last half a decade. The concept of vengeance will probably follow him for the rest of his career and his life. So, regardless of the fact that filmmakers usually try (admirably, in some cases) to change genres, there is no way it would be expected for him to come up with something like this! Still, I was left with exactly the same feeling, of wonder and fascination, even though in totally different ways, as when I was first introduced to - and pulled into - his world, with his masterpiece, Oldboy.

A hilarious comedy in more than one occasion, which then turns into a touching drama and innocent, almost naive romance, mixed with loads of smart, pushing genius humour. The story of a girl (the super talented and gorgeous Su-jeong Lim) who, like the title gives away, believed she was a Cyborg. That's right, a Cyborg. Yes, it's silly. Very silly actually. Which means that not everyone will enjoy it. Not everyone will have the ability to see beyond the silliness, and fully understand the vision of Park. I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK is a story that will mean a lot to anyone who has, in any way, at any point of its life, felt different, disconnected, alone in the world... May sound like a cliché, but I can't really put it more truthfully.

Like I said before, I find it a little hard to describe I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK, as I do about the experience I had watching it. I guess all I can try to say, in order to make you want to see it (if you don't already) is that you never saw a film like it, and you never will. That I can pretty much guarantee. Korean cinema keeps rising and rising in my favourite cinematographies list.