Watch Burning

Burning is a 2018 psychological thriller from South Korea, directed by Lee Chang-dong. Adapted from the short story "Barn Burning" by Haruki Murakami, the film presents a haunting examination of modern life, love and youth. The story follows Lee Jong-su (Yoo Ah-in), a young man who spends his days working as a deliveryman while harboring dreams of becoming a writer. After reconnecting with a girl from his neighborhood, Shin Hae-mi (Jeon Jong-seo), they begin a tentative relationship, one that quickly becomes complicated with the addition of Hae-mi's Shin Jong-su's wealthy acquaintance Ben (Steven Yeun).

As the three become entangled with one another, tensions rise and the characters' darkest impulses are brought to the surface. Burning is a film that manages to be both slowly paced and viscerally gripping, creating a tension that's palpable from the very start.

At its core, Burning is a film about class, ambition and desire. Jong-su hails from a poor, rural family and is self-conscious of his lack of money and status. Hae-mi, on the other hand, is a free spirit without a fixed place in the world, dreamy and unconventional. The unexpected appearance of Ben, who has all the trappings of success and the haughty self-assuredness of a man used to getting whatever he wants, throws both their worldviews into sharp relief. He represents everything that they're not, and they're both drawn to him as a way of sating their own feelings of unfulfillment.

The film uses the relationship between the three characters as a way of exploring deeper societal and existential themes. What does it mean to be fulfilled in life? What are we searching for when we say we want success or love or happiness? And can we ever actually find it?

Director Lee Chang-dong is known for his deft handling of intense emotions, and Burning is a masterclass in this. The film is full of moments of quiet intensity, in which the characters exchange loaded looks or engage in seemingly mundane interactions that nonetheless hold a great deal of emotional weight. And when the film does finally break into violence or intrigue, it's all the more shocking and unsettling for having been built up so carefully.

The film is also expertly shot, making use of the Korean countryside to create a sense of isolation and unease. The muted palette and often bleak lighting serve to heighten the tension, giving the impression that anything could happen at any moment.

One of the most striking elements of Burning is its ambiguity. The film poses many questions without ever fully answering them, leaving it up to the viewer to interpret the characters' motives and feelings. This can be frustrating at times, but also adds to the sense of unease that permeates the film; we're never quite sure what's going on, or what's going to happen next.

Overall, Burning is a beautiful, haunting film that explores deep themes with nuance and sensitivity. It's a slow burn (pun intended), but one that's well worth sticking with. The performances are excellent, the direction is assured and the writing is both poignant and thought-provoking. Highly recommended for fans of slow-burning thrillers and films that tackle big ideas.

Burning is a 2021 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes.