Animal Town

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Movie: Animal Town
Revised romanization: Aenimeoltawoon
Hangul: 애니멀 타운
Director: Jeon Kyu-Hwan
Writer: Jeon Kyu-Hwan
Producer: Choi Mi-Ae
Cinematographer:
Release Date: March 10, 2011
Runtime: 97 min.
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea

Plot

Oh Sung-Chul (Lee Joon-Hyuk) has been released on parole. He wears an ankle bracelet that monitors his movements as well as reminding himself of his horrifying past deeds. Sung-Chul lives in an apartment complex about to be demolished. He loses his construction job and is screwed over for half of his last paycheck. He takes medication to suppress his urges.

Kim Hyung-Do (Oh Seong-Tae) is a religious family man who runs a printing company. The printing business is going through hard times. Kim Hyung-Do also goes through heavy emotional turmoil due to a horrendous crime inflicted upon his daughter by Oh Sung-Chul. On a fateful day, Hyung-Do spots Sung-Chul out on the street ....

Notes

"Animal Town" is part of director Jeon Kyu-Hwan's trilogy based around individuals isolated in a big city town.
Related titles:
1. Animal Town | Aenimeoltawoon (2011)
2. Dance Town | Daenseutawoon (2011)
3. Mozart Town | Mochareuteu Tawoon (2011)

Cast

Oh Seong-Tae - Kim Hyung-Do
Lee Joon-Hyuk - Oh Sung-Chul

Trailer

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Film Festivals

2010 (11th) Jeonju International Film Festival - April 29-May 7, 2010 - Cinemascape: Korean Cinema Showcase
2010 (4th) Cinema Digital Seoul Film Festival - August 18-24, 2010 - Butterfly
2010 (34th) Sao Paulo International Film Festival - October 22-November 4, 2010
2010 (12th) Cinemanila International Film Festival - December 1-5, 2010
2011 (24th) Singapore International Film Festival - September 15-25, 2011 - C'est La Vie

Awards

Movie College Award - 2010 (4th) Cinema Digital Seoul Film Festival - August 18-24

Comments

Comment #1
Ki Says:
Mar 28 2011 4:42 am

"Animal Town" is a grim, suffocating film that's also well made and never bores. The movie depicts a child molester, from his point of view, once he is out on parole. The guy takes medication, tries to find work, and tries to keep his wayward eyes away from potential victims. I think this aspect might be the most controversial, because it does create something like sympathy for the main character (similar to a drug film and the junkie trying his damnest to kick his habit). In this aspect, I felt director Jeon Kyu-Hwan walked the fine line well. The narrative was kicked into higher gear because the viewer is watching someone trying to keep his head afloat and this does add a strong sense of anticipation towards the outcome of the movie. Visually, the movie is sparse and it fits well in the grand scheme of the movie.

Not as successful to the film was the "revenge" aspect of the film. And that was ok to me, because it seemed secondary to the interaction of the main character with society, plus the revenge aspect has been done enough time lately in Korean films. There's also a few "WTF" moments thrown in at the end of the film that feels hokey, but it doesn't taint the overall effectiveness of the film.

The film probably has little chance of commercial success with its subject matter and I was kind of reluctant to watch it at first fearing it might have excessive imagery or anything exploitative. Thankfully there's none of that. Personally, I hope a lot of people will watch this film (especially in South Korea) and realize there's people out there out to hurt children and to always be on your guard. "Animal Town" is a strong film that will linger with you well after the end credits end.