THE ISLE (2002)

Cast

Plot

The mute caretaker of a remote fishing resort earns her living selling accommodation, bait and her body to the male tourists until she meets Hyun-Shik, another tortured soul hiding out from the police after committing a murder. The two find each other in the midst of their physical and spiritual isolation igniting a disturbing and dependent relationship. Filled with beauty and depravity in equal measure The Isle is yet another reason the Koreans should be proud of their film industry; atmospheric, well acted, artfully directed and with stunning cinematography, it rises above much of what the West offers in contemporary cinema. Whilst not as shocking as the news reports of audience members fainting would lead you to believe, there are some truly horrific moments made all the more potent for their lack of Hollywood gloss.