Oasis

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Movie: Oasis
Revised romanization: Oasiseu
Hangul: 오아시스
Director: Lee Chang-Dong
Assistant Director: Kim Kwang-Sik
Writer: Lee Chang-Dong
Producer: Choi Sung-Min, Cho Min-Cheul, Kaynam Hyung, Jeon Jay, Myeong Gye-nam
Cinematographer: Choi Yeong-Taek
Release Date: August 15, 2002 (South Korea)
Runtime: 132 Min.
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea

Plot

Upon his release from prison, Hong Jong-du goes looking for his relatives in Seoul. His brothers have moved and neither they and nor their mother are Jong-Du is back on the streets after serving a three-year prison term for a hit-and-run accident that his older brother committed. He quickly discovers that during his absence his family has moved without telling him. Oblivious to society’s rules, Jong-Du again ends up in police custody for non-payment of a restaurant bill. He is bailed out by his brother and reunited with his estranged family who reluctantly take him back in. Slightly retarded and an incurable social misfit, Jong-Du is hired as a delivery boy for a neighborhood Chinese restaurant on the recommendation of his older brother.

In an awkward attempt at reconciliation, Jong-Du seeks out the family of the man killed in the hit-and-run accident. He finds the man’s son, Sang-Shik, in the process of moving out of the apartment. Sang-shik is leaving his Cerebral Palsy-stricken sister Gong-Ju behind to be cared for by the neighbors, while he uses her disability pension to supplement his own lifestyle. The family is horrified at Jong-Du’s intrusion and he is told to leave, but not before he has become intrigued by Gong-Ju.

Jong-Du decides to woo her by sending flowers and, while spying on Gong-Ju’s apartment, discovers where her house keys are hidden. Later, he lets himself in at a time when he knows she is alone. Trying to reassure and pacify the startled Gong-Ju, he loses control and starts to impose himself on the helpless young women, stopping only when she faints. In classic Jong- Du fashion, he impulsively leaves his phone number in her room before he departs so that Gong-Ju would know where to find him.

Fired from his delivery job after crashing the scooter, Jong-Du is given the opportunity to work in his brother’s auto repair shop, where he also sleeps at night. A couple of days later to his surprise and delight, Gong-Ju calls him in the middle of night.

After a number of secret encounters and outings, several times nearly being discovered by Jong-Du’s brother or the neighbors, the two misfits become inseparable. Uninhibited and wanting to share her feelings with Jong-Du, Gong-Ju tells him how frightened she is of a shadow from a tree outside of her window that reflects on a picture hanging in her room. In his protective yet comforting manner, Jong-Du promises Gong-Ju that she no longer has to be afraid because he will make the shadows disappear by magic.

On their adventures outside of the apartment, the couple is faced with the harsh reality of a discriminating society but is comforted by the innocent sanctity of their shared love. When Jong-Du naively brings Gong-Ju to his mother’s birthday celebration, tempers flare. The last thing Jong-Du’s older brother wants is for him to be socializing with a family member of his hit and run victim.

Wanting to feel and be treated like a woman, Gong Ju invites Jong Du back to her apartment where they make love. When her brother arrives on a surprise visit, chaos erupts. Jong Du is arrested; charged with raping a helpless, handicapped woman. Gong Ju’s family makes sure that no one hears her side of the story. But in one final burst of passion, Jong Du escapes from the police and rushes to Gong Ju’s apartment. The couple manages to reaffirm their love as Jong Du fulfills his promise of making the shadows disappear.