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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
(aka "Seom" )
directed by Ki-Duk Kim
South Korea 2000
| Following the controversial Bad Guy, Ki-duk Kim's The Isle is a gentler take on the themes of
isolation and obsessive love, though it contains some still
more violent scenes. Set around a lake where fishermen
inhabit floating shacks, it explores the relationship
between suicidal newcomer Hyun-Shik and Hee-Jin, the woman
who runs the lake's shop and, with her boat, controls access
for everyone. Though we see her early on engaged in
prostitution and being treated badly, it gradually emerges
that Hee-Jin is the most powerful person in the vicinity,
and, with the constant rowing she does, physically a match
for anyone. This independence disturbs and intrigues Hyun-Shik
in equal measures, and what develops is a violent sado-masochistic
relationship in which both characters struggle frantically
against losing their independence to love. The urgency of this central relationship is underlined by the fact that Hyun-Shik has a past he doesn't want to talk about and Hee-Jin is apparently mute (though we see her talk on the telephone, suggesting that her lack of verbal communication in the lake environment is willful). Unable to discuss the world beyond the lake, or how they came to be there, these two characters live entirely in the present tense. Their communication is entirely physical. Through mutual self-destruction, they briefly create an island of love within a brutal world, though, ultimately, each is an island alone. The lake itself might be seen as an island, apparently cut off from reality, open to extremes. Threats from the outside are managed in a peremptory fashion, as if Hee-Jin is barely able to countenance their relevance to her world. |
Theatrical Release: 11 September 2000 (Toronto Film Festival)
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Comparison:
De A Planeta - Region 2 - PAL vs. First Run Features - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Universe Laser Co. (1-disc edition) - Region 3 - NTSC
Big thanks to Eric Cotenas and Martin Norefors for the Screen Caps!
(De A Planeta - Region 2 - PAL - LEFT vs. First Run Features - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Universe Laser Co. (1-disc edition) - Region 3 - NTSC - RIGHT)
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| Distribution |
De A Planeta Region 2 - PAL |
First Run Features Region 0 - NTSC |
Universe Laser Co. Region 3 - NTSC |
| Runtime | 1:26:15 (4% PAL speedup) | 1:30:24 | 1:30:03 |
| Video |
1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
1.88:1 Original Aspect Ratio |
1.75:1 Original Aspect Ratio |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate:
De A Planeta
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Bitrate:
First Run Features
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Bitrate:
Universe Laser Co. (1-disc edition)
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| Audio | Spanish DTS (half-bitrate); Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1); Korean (Dolby Digital 5.1) |
Korean (Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo) |
Korean (Dolby Digital 2.0) |
| Subtitles | Spanish, Catalan, English, none | English (burnt-in) | Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, English, none |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: De A Planeta Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details: Chapters 14 |
Release Information: Studio: First Run Features Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
DVD Release Date: May 20,
2003 Chapters 12 |
Release Information: Studio: Universe Laser Co. Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
DVD Release Date:
2001-08-16 Chapters 9 |
| Comments |
De A Planeta's Spanish DVD presents the sharpest image of the three with different color timing. The 1.82:1 image reveals more peripheral information than the US and Chinese releases (the rounded corners of the hard matte are visible on all four corners). The Spanish DTS track is half-bitrate but the Korean 5.1 track is clear and enveloping (I believe 5.1 is the film's original mix as the specs for the Korean release has only a 5.1 mix) and the English subtitles seem to be the same as the other releases.
All of the extras on the Spanish disc are English friendly. The US release from First Run Features is an okay rental alternative. The image is non-anamorphic and interlaced but sharper than the Chinese DVD. The English subtitles are burnt-in. The contextual extras are the same as the Spanish disc (and are likely ported over from the Korean release). Reportedly, the Italian DVD from Raro (also available as part of a set of the director's films) has English subtitles and Korean 5.1 audio (the UK Tartan DVD has DTS audio but has been cut by the BBFC). |
DVD Menus
(De A Planeta - Region 2 - PAL - LEFT
vs. First Run Features - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs.
Universe Laser Co. (1-disc edition) - Region 3 - NTSC - RIGHT)
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Screen Captures
(De A Planeta - Region 2 - PAL -
TOP vs. First Run Features - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs.
Universe Laser Co. (1-disc edition) - Region 3 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
Subtitle sample
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(De A Planeta - Region 2 - PAL - TOP vs. First Run Features - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Universe Laser Co. (1-disc edition) - Region 3 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(De A Planeta - Region 2 - PAL - TOP vs. First Run Features - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Universe Laser Co. (1-disc edition) - Region 3 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(De A Planeta - Region 2 - PAL - TOP vs. First Run Features - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Universe Laser Co. (1-disc edition) - Region 3 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(De A Planeta - Region 2 - PAL - TOP vs. First Run Features - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Universe Laser Co. (1-disc edition) - Region 3 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(De A Planeta - Region 2 - PAL - TOP vs. First Run Features - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Universe Laser Co. (1-disc edition) - Region 3 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(De A Planeta - Region 2 - PAL - TOP vs. First Run Features - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Universe Laser Co. (1-disc edition) - Region 3 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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Report Card:
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Image: |
De A Planeta |
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Sound: |
De A Planeta |
| Extras: | Draw (De A Planeta / First Run Features) |
| Menu: | Draw (De A Planeta / First Run Features) |
| DVD Box Covers |
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Thinking of buying from YesAsia? CLICK HERE and use THIS UPDATED BEAVER PAGE to source their very best...
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| Distribution |
De A Planeta Region 2 - PAL |
First Run Features Region 0 - NTSC |
Universe Laser Co. Region 3 - NTSC |
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