Korean filmmakers have a knack for turning their national crises into riveting entertainment, choice examples being last year’s “A Taxi Driver” and “1987: When the Day Comes.” Following in that tradition, domestic hit “Default” (which opened Nov. 30 in the U.S.) manages to make currency crashes and the Asian Financial Crisis a juicy subject onscreen.
Set in 1997, when South Korea faced national bankruptcy, this financial thriller dramatizes the tense run-up to the Imf’s bailout, which the Korean media coined the nation’s “day of humiliation.” Racily paced yet boasting crystal-clear exposition, this hard-nosed and clear-eyed lesson on capitalist hubris bristles with relevance given the escalation of the Trade War.
It’s hard to believe that director Choi Kook-hee has only shot one feature film “Split” before making a work of such lofty ambition. With consummate skill, he pulls together three character arcs that represent the lower-middle class, the financial sector,...
Set in 1997, when South Korea faced national bankruptcy, this financial thriller dramatizes the tense run-up to the Imf’s bailout, which the Korean media coined the nation’s “day of humiliation.” Racily paced yet boasting crystal-clear exposition, this hard-nosed and clear-eyed lesson on capitalist hubris bristles with relevance given the escalation of the Trade War.
It’s hard to believe that director Choi Kook-hee has only shot one feature film “Split” before making a work of such lofty ambition. With consummate skill, he pulls together three character arcs that represent the lower-middle class, the financial sector,...
- 12/24/2018
- by Maggie Lee
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.