In "Host and Guest", writer and director Sin Dong-il raises critical questions about social issues ? workers' rights, religion, the dynamics of Korean families and Korea's national and international politics. He focuses on two characters who live on the margins of Korean society.
One protagonist is a confused and arrogant intellectual who is unemployed and recently divorced. He shirks his fatherly responsibilities, spending what little money he has on booze and prostitutes.
The other is a Christian missionary. When they meet for the first time, the missionary is rudely brushed off, however, he is not appalled by the other man's behavior and the two meet again. Raising social issues in Korean society by telling stories about individuals in minorities makes for an engaging, rather than abstract, story. Yet at the same time, the film keeps a critical distance, leaving room for the viewer to reflect. The film moves at a modest pace, and there is a general preference for long shots instead of close-ups.
Since the protagonists are not the typical main characters and the plot studies unglamorous social issues, the film challenges the viewer to invest some time in discovering the characters' hidden qualities.
Unfortunately, the motivation and the reasons for their behavior could have been easily explained earlier in the film, making it possible for the audience to engage with the characters earlier and, therefore, be able to delve into the subject matter earlier on.
The film's juxtaposition of the two protagonists makes it easier to discuss the subjects from different perspectives, but the characters are too stereotypical. One is rude and unsympathetic; the other acts like a saint, always composed.
More refined characters would have added value and eloquence. For example, the film critically discusses several issues, and Christianity in Korea could easily have been one of them, but the opportunity is missed because of the simplified representation of the good character as a Christian.
"Host and Guest" is recommendable and a promising feature film directorial debut. The film was honored at several international film festivals, including the Berlin International Film Festival and the Pusan International Film Festival. "Host and Guest" is scheduled for release on Nov. 15, 2006.
English 
US$5 off (order min. US$5)
