Namgeuk-ilgi (Antarctic Journal) (2005)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Luke B

  
  I'd seen Yim's most recent film, Hansel and Gretel, and was completely blown away by it. Antarctic Journal is the polar opposite of that film in many respects. Hansel and Gretel filled every shot with a vast palette of colors and fantastic detail. Antarctic Journal, though… More
  I'd seen Yim's most recent film, Hansel and Gretel, and was completely blown away by it. Antarctic Journal is the polar opposite of that film in many respects. Hansel and Gretel filled every shot with a vast palette of colors and fantastic detail. Antarctic Journal, though beautiful looking, is pretty much empty and just white. Hansel and Gretel played on the warm cozy setting and here the film uses the open and ferocious landscape to do the same kind of work. It's a creepy well-acted chiller that never quite terrifies. The psychology of the characters is well developed but due to the slow nature of the film, it never grabs the attention. The film feels mostly like constant build up. The few final scenes are very haunting, especially the cold and bleak final shot of Song walking into the distance.

• Christopher B

  
  i really like Kang-ho Song and was hoping to really enjoy this film (I have a soft spot for films that take place in the snow as well), but despite great performances, this one left me cold. Not a terrible movie, but unfortunately nothing really happens and when it does, I found it… More
  i really like Kang-ho Song and was hoping to really enjoy this film (I have a soft spot for films that take place in the snow as well), but despite great performances, this one left me cold. Not a terrible movie, but unfortunately nothing really happens and when it does, I found it hard to care. And the payoff was a letdown too.