Lies

Aroview: Highly controversial in its native Korea (the source novel was banned) this tale of S&M sex-addiction between a schoolgirl and an older sculptor is inescapably extreme but also curiously witty.

Consisting largely of escalating scenes of flagellation, the real focus is the psychological tension in such a relationship, especially over the ‘lies’ and self-deceptions implicit in such apparently mutual programs for pleasure. However, with such endlessly hardcore content, the dir.’s intentions finally seem crudely provocative more than anything – a badboy overreaction to his country’s social conservatism perhaps?

NZ International Film Festival 2001