Watch End of Animal
- 2011
- 1 hr 54 min
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5.8 (222)
End of Animal is a 2010 South Korean film directed by Jo Sung-hee. The movie stars Park Hae-il, Yeong-ho Kim, and Min-ji Lee in the lead roles. It is a surreal and metaphorical journey of a man named Soon-ho. The film explores various themes such as apocalypse, technology, human connections, and spirituality. The story revolves around Soon-ho, a young man who is traveling by bus to his destination. Along the way, his bus is caught in a traffic jam, and he is left behind. With no other form of transport, Soon-ho starts walking on foot to reach his destination. On his journey, he meets a pregnant woman who is also walking towards the same destination. Soon-ho offers to help the woman and they both travel together.
As they walk, strange things start happening around them. Animals suddenly start dying, and the landscape starts changing rapidly. They encounter various characters, each of whom has a unique perspective on the events happening around them. The pregnant woman mentions a prophecy that the world is coming to an end, and she is heading towards a mountain to escape the apocalypse.
Soon-ho is a quiet and introspective person who seems to be carrying a weight of his own. As the journey progresses, he starts opening up to the woman and sharing his innermost fears and beliefs. The woman, on the other hand, is more practical and focused on her goal. They form an unlikely bond as they continue their journey towards the mountain.
The film features stunning visuals that create a dreamlike atmosphere. The filmmakers use a lot of symbolism to convey the ideas behind the story. For instance, the dying animals could represent the death of the natural world, or the loss of innocence. The ever-changing landscapes could represent the unpredictability of life, or the transience of existence.
One of the major themes of the movie is technology and its impact on human life. Soon-ho is shown to be disconnected from the world around him, and he is constantly talking on his phone or listening to music. The pregnant woman is critical of this behavior and suggests that people have become too reliant on technology. This idea is reflected in the movie's title, End of Animal, which could imply the end of natural life, but also the end of human values and emotions.
Another important theme of the movie is spirituality. The woman believes that the apocalypse is a sign from God, and that they must seek refuge in the mountain to survive. Soon-ho, on the other hand, is skeptical about such beliefs and seeks rational explanations for the events happening around them. This contrast between faith and reason is a recurring motif in the film.
Overall, End of Animal is a thought-provoking movie that raises questions about our relationship with the world around us. The film's surreal and poetic style may not be to everyone's taste, but it is an impressive effort by director Jo Sung-hee. The lead actors deliver excellent performances, and the movie's haunting soundtrack adds to its immersive atmosphere.