Soom (Breath) (2007)

67% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
73% of users liked it
(2,988 ratings)

A love story involving a convicted prisoner who "slowly falls for a woman who decorates his prison cell".

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 24 min.
Directed By: Ki-duk Kim
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Apr 29, 2007 Wide

Critic Reviews

Ray Bennett, Hollywood Reporter
[Director Ki-duk] creates some startling images within the curious logic of his tale. It has something to do with inhaling badness and exhaling goodness but those expecting it to make sense shouldn't exactly hold their breath.
Derek Elley, Variety
A typically quirky chamber drama by helmer Kim Ki-duk.
Nick Visser, Seattle Times
The cinematography is wonderful, but the plot is too vague. There could be a message here, but it's buried too deep to dig out.
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
A surreal convergence of sex, death and erotically charged assisted suicide via asphyxiation, and the weird way that a female object of desire can take your breath away, in more ways than one.
Rudy Joggerst, Reel.com
...a tender romance between a dejected housewife and a mute death-row prisoner that is surprisingly compassionate and even offers up a few moments of comic relief.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This story of a disenfranchised woman represents a step-down for the gifted South Korean helmer Kim Ki-Duk in an uneven film in which the parts are more interesting than the whole.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Carlos M

A great drama in which Kim Ki-Duk explores once again many elements that he has used before in his previous films and he is so much fascinated with, such as love, silence, loneliness and the passage of time. A tender, sensitive story that has to be felt and experienced.
Arash X

Anothe masterwork by Kim Ki-duk, The story is strange but like his other films Soom is filled with magical ideas & impressive moments
Saskia D

It was alright, food for thought I guess :) <div style="width:576px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com/servlet/embed/photo/link/11277854"><img src="http://www.flixster.com/servlet/embed/photo/11277854.jpg"… More
It was alright, food for thought I guess :) <div style="width:576px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com/servlet/embed/photo/link/11277854"><img src="http://www.flixster.com/servlet/embed/photo/11277854.jpg" border="0"/></a><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com">
Luke B

I love the films of Ki-duk Kim so much. Seriously he's fucking amazing. His subtle approach to film making allows to to wallow in his incredible images. His symbolism and lack of dialogue give you a chance to really get involved in the thought process of cinema. Breath is one his… More
I love the films of Ki-duk Kim so much. Seriously he's fucking amazing. His subtle approach to film making allows to to wallow in his incredible images. His symbolism and lack of dialogue give you a chance to really get involved in the thought process of cinema. Breath is one his most difficult works, not just because of the plot but also as it appears to work in conjunction with many of his other films. Loneliness being a major theme that may keep away many viewers. He does however find the beauty in dark and disturbing themes, especially visual beauty. The snowmen created here, or the paintings within jail. It certainly deserves more than one watch.

Soom (Breath) (2007)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Carlos M

Arash X

Saskia D

Luke B

Cast