The Bow DVD Region 3

The film takes place on a boat floating on an unnamed ocean, on which lives an old man (Jeon Sung Hwan) and a young girl (Han Yeo Reum, also in the director's excellent Samaria). The old man supposedly found her some ten years earlier, and she has never left the boat. He plans to marry her as soon as she turns seventeen. It is a date the old man eagerly awaits, even counting down the days on a calendar. The old man's other prize possession is a bow, with which he protects the girl, as well as using it as a musical instrument.

The two make money by hosting fishermen, and by telling their fortunes using the strange method of the old man shooting arrows at the girl as she swings in front of what appears to be a Buddhist painting on the side of the boat. Their idyllic existence is troubled by the appearance of a young man, who falls in love with the girl and accuses the old man of keeping her prisoner. Slowly, the girl starts to assert herself, and as the wedding day draws near, tensions mount and confrontation appears inevitable.

The story itself deals with many of the themes that often run through Kim Ki Duk's films, primarily its examination of love through the concepts of ownership and trust. The relationship between the old man and the girl is complex, and even as the film progresses, and it appears that the girl is indeed kept against her will, Kim never offers any easy answers or condemnations. The old man and the girl's affection for each other and co-dependence is made all the more powerful by the fact that neither speaks, and the way in which Kim allows subtle actions and glances to illustrate their emotions and motivations is extremely skilful, and never feels forced.

Since the fishermen who come to the boat are generally perverts who are constantly trying to grab the girl, her relationship with the old man has a strangely innocent aspect, and though uncomfortable, never feels overtly aggressive or exploitative. In fact, the old man's role of protector, driving away the letches with his bow, and the tender love he clearly feels for the girl, generate considerable sympathy, and even when the young man appears to challenge him, it is far from clear who is truly acting in the girl's best interests. This moral ambiguity is fascinating, and presents the viewer with a set of intriguing characters rather than a set of obvious heroes and villains.

Visually, the film is minimalist, yet stunning. The maritime setting is perfectly utilized, and the constant, yet gentle lapping of the waves provides an almost hypnotic atmosphere. Perhaps most pleasing is the way in which the look of the film perfectly compliments its spiritual aspect, being at times almost illusive and unworldly, yet tied to the physical presence of the boat itself. With the titular bow, Kim is drawing a link between the tightening of its drawstring and the heightening of the tense emotions on the boat. Thematically, this neatly illustrates the film's depiction of the duality of human nature, being both a deadly weapon and provider of soul-soothing music, as well as representing the different aspects of the old man's love for the girl - at once fierce and tender, as well as a signifier of his own sexual potency, or lack thereof.

As expected, Kim fills The Bow with symbolism, through the intrusive modern gadgets given to the girl by the young man, to the fact that no land is ever seen, and the boat itself feels intimate rather than claustrophobic. There are a number of ambiguous cultural and religious references as well, including Buddhist motifs and a variation on the Korean national flag. Thankfully, these are used in a delicate, if perhaps cynical and not entirely respectful manner, rather than the tacky mysticism which is commonly exploited for cheap atmospherics or tacky philosophical musings. The film as a whole has an almost ethereal, elemental feel, and truly engages the viewer, begging further analysis.

The finale of The Bow takes on the impression of an allegory or fable, one which may be deciphered by viewers as they see fit, without the hindrance of explicit answers or blatant signposting. As such, The Bow is unlikely to appeal to those who expect films to offer immediate gratification, since it is devoid of cheap thrills or pseudo witty dialogue. However, for fans of the director and those willing to open their minds, a rewarding experience awaits, and one that is far removed from the trash which sadly fills modern cinema.

Movie Grade: 4 out of 5 stars

By James - BeyondHollywood.com