I am more curious as to what made GHS, at age 25, decided to make Cheerful Caretaker her first film? When I first saw it, I was thoroughly confused. I saw it few times and I was left with questions about what do each character represent? Is priest really a priest or some other representation with power and respect in our society or S Korean society? As far as I know, religion does not easily advocate killling oneself to deal with one's problems. But somehow that became the norm in that society in the movie. Statistics show there is a high suicde rate in S Korea. Could GHS be referring to that? These people of all ages with some sort of difficultes come to the priest and asks:"Please save me." How did a request to be saved turn into a choice to die. Was there really a choice? The real Korean title of this movie is "Cheerful Caretaker". It seems to be the priest who is the cheerful caretaker. Initially he seems to be doing his job with great cheer..as if he was put on this earth to do his job. The young man initially asked the male priest to save him. Then he asks for one more week of postponement--for his death. Then he reaches out to the nun to save him. What kind of "saving" was the young man asking of the nun? The film shows that the young man was beginning to develop feelings for the nun. After the young man dies, the nun seems to be filled with guilt, angst and emotional turbulence. She seems to want to bring back the dead. Perhaps her red shoes represent empathy? A unique color red...which GHS links in most of her movies--either as red scarf, red string, red shoe. I think I remember her saying once that it may represent human connection. And,,wow, the moment of horror in the movie...when the priest took a picture of the nun--an activity that he does before putting the person to death----isn't it weird that he takes a snapshot like that?? But, the horror was when he took the picture of the nun, what he saw was the statue of St. Mary. That jarred me!! GHS also wants the audience to take their own meanings from her movies. I was strangely reminded of the "netizens" who seems to have the power to kill off or save the celebrities. Many netizens do their duty as if it is their purpose in life. Sadly many celebrities literally and figuratively dies at their hands. I hope I am not offending anyone with my view. It is just my view. The nun whose picture came out as St. Mary---did she ever realize that such presence existed inside of her? How about the other poor souls who succumbed to the idea that they are not worthy beings who deserve second and third chances? Priest most likely never shared that photo with the nun---he only knew one solution to everything. Was GHS trying to say,,,have you really looked kindly and positively at yourself beyond the bias and negativity and pressure from others? Don't just accept what others say about you. You will be amazed at what is inside of you...
Bravo and 2 thumbs up to artist and director GHS.
Bravo and 2 thumbs up to artist and director GHS.