CHIHWASEON/ PAINTED FIRE
Korea, 2002, 120 minutes, Colour.
Min-sik Choi.
Directed by Kwon-taek Im.
A fascinating invitation to venture back into 19th century Korean history, a time of social collapse, ill-fated reformist movements and peasant uprisings with diplomatic and military interventions from China and Japan.
This background is well explained for the audience unfamiliar with this part of the world. But it is still background.
In the foreground is the life and work of a peasant artist, 'Ohwon' Jang Seung Up, who was a child prodigy in his ability to paint and to recreate pictures from memory and who eventually was commissioned by the king. This is one of the best biographies of a painter in telling the details of his life and art, warts (alcohol) and all as well as showing the artist at work and explaining the styles and techniques of Korean tradition and how Ohwon used them as well as transcended them.
In showing the world of nature that inspired Ohwon, the film is beautiful to watch.
1. A Korean experience? History, art, the 19 century?
2. The importance of the art, the visuals, the paintings themselves, colour and style, compositions? The title: Painted Fire?
3. Korea in the 19 century, the settings, costumes and decor, ordinary people, aristocracy, palaces, studios? The musical score?
4. The historical background, the persecution of Jews one, peasant revolts, clashes with the Japanese, Japanese occupation?
5. The narrative: Ohwon and his art, the Japanese buyer, the discussion, the flashbacks?
6. The artist as a boy, common, encountering the aristocrat, patronage, his dealings with the ruling class, favours?
7. Korean art and culture, the artist influenced by Chinese models? Distinctively Korean? Subject, style?
8. The personality of the artist, age, growing older? Lecherous, focus on sex and sexuality, the courtesans? Relationships? His drinking? His moods and frustrations? His being confined by his patrons? The clashes with them?
9. The cumulative effect of watching the film, appreciation of the artist, understanding him? His art? Distinctive? Contribution to Korean history and culture?
