Breathless

Out of the ten or so films I have seen so far at this years Sydney Film Festival this one effected me the most. I shed a few tears by the films end and was thinking about it for days afterward.

It's a heck of a debut from Yang Ik Joon who wrote, directed, produced and takes the lead role as well.

Joon plays a small time hood/debt collector who doesn't mess about with customers who owe money. No one is safe it seems from his fists or his foul mouth, not even his nephew. A chance meeting with a high school student results in an unlikely friendship. We learn more about both characters as the film builds momentum. Suffice to say that their main link is both being exposed to domestic violence.

Joon fleshes out the story and gives all characters a chance to shine. The acting is first rate as is the screenplay which apparently is autobiographical.

Anyone easily upset by violence or profanity would be well advised to give this one a miss.

I hope it finds an audience and gets a wide release. I certainly look forward to more films in the future from this exciting young director/writer/actor.