UNTOLD SCANDAL
Korea, 2003, 125 minutes, Colour.
Michael- Suk Lee, Do-Yeon? Jeon, Yong-Jun? Bae.
Directed by Je- Yong Lee.
This is a sumptuously beautiful and stately film. It is set in a period of gentrification of Korea, a transition from the more hierarchical societies of the past to a more permissive society, the 18th century.
What makes it particularly interesting is that it is a Korean adaptation of Laclos classic novel, Les Liaisons Dangereuses. This novel has had many screen incarnations: from the modern adaptation of the late 50s by Roger Vadim with Jeanne Moreau, to the best known version, the 80s Dangerous Liaisons and the, unfortunately, rarely seen Valmont by Milos Forman. More recently, it was adapted to an American high school setting in Cruel Intentions.
For many, the plot is well-known: a philandering cad joins with a corrupt aristocrat to seduce a virtuous young widow, with accompanying dalliances along the way. Untold Scandal keeps to this basic plot. However, it is beautifully and lavishly costumed, photographed with a measured, elegant style. This is, of course, a surface beauty which covers malice and deceit.
The film focuses more on the seducer and the widow (who, interestingly for Korean 18th century history is presented as a Catholic, member of a small group who do good for people but who are sometimes oppressed and persecuted). The tragedy is that the man falls in love but cannot escape from his callow past and misguidedly proud self-respect. The tragedy is that the widow allows herself to believe her seducer, succumbs to him and suffers when she is abandoned. The Madame tries to destroy other lives in fostering dangerous sexual liaisons. She is ultimately left with her evil self.
An impressive adaptation and an interesting Korean interpretation of a European story.
1.A film of elegant beauty? Surface beauty? Inner corruption? Society, history?
2.The picturing of Korea in the 18th century, the town, wealthy homes, the landscapes, the contrast with the poor Catholics? A portrait of an era? Costumes and décor?
3.The sumptuous visual style, production design, costume design, makeup, sets? The musical score – classical western style?
4.A western story, Dangerous Liaisons, adapted to Korea and adapted to Korea’s past? Remaining close to the plot of the original novel? Themes of morals and corruption?
5.The film as a moral fable: a portrait of society, society’s standards, personal morality, fate?
6.The Valmont character and the paintings, the credits, his models, the marriage ceremony, the tone of his life, his womanising? His background, Madame Jo and his relationship with her? Their talk, the wager, his lust, corruption, the young widow and his seduction?
7.Madame Jo and her age, experience? Her relationship with the aristocrat, the reasons for the wager, the nature of the wager, the younger women, her household?
8.Themes of manipulation of people – by the aristocrat, by Madame?
9.The portrait of the widow, as a widow, poor, her Catholic background, the approaches, the aristocrat, his courting her, flattering her? Her succumbing, believing him, the effect on her? Her devotion, his infidelity? Her passivity, being transformed? What was she left with? The effect of the experience on her, her death?
10.The family and ambitions, the young death, the suitor? The aristocrat, the sexual encounter, seduction, his voracious appetites, deceit?
11.The young student, the prospects, the relationship, sexuality, destroyed? His being mentored by the aristocrat?
12.The parents, being lied to, their behaviour, consents, the effect of the tragedy?
13.The aristocrat and his conscience, his being sated, rejecting people, callous? His way of doing things? The possibility for change or not? Destruction?
14.A portrait of the age, the minor characters, in the household, servants, their role, gossip and observation?
15.The audience, entertainment, moral fable – and moral judgments?
