Watch Pieta
- NR
- 2013
- 1 hr 44 min
-
7.1 (15,961)
Pieta is a 2012 South Korean movie directed and written by Kim Ki-duk. The movie is a representation of the harsh realities faced by the lower class in South Korea. It explores the themes of poverty, violence, and the impact of human relationships on individual lives. Set in an industrial area of Seoul, the movie revolves around the life of a lone, disturbed man named Kang-do (Min-soo Jo). Kang-do, who is both feared and despised in his community, works as a debt collector. His job is to harass those who owe money to a ruthless loan shark. Kang-do's life takes a turn when a middle-aged woman, Mi-son (Lee Jung-Jin), appears claiming to be his long-lost mother.
Kang-do initially rejects her, but Mi-son persists, and gradually, she manages to break the ice and begins to civilize him. They start living together, and Mi-son tries to undo the damage that Kang-do's work has done to his mental state. However, their new-found relationship is tested when Kang-do's employers, demanding their pound of flesh, start harming Mi-son.
The character of Kang-do is intriguing, as his brutality is a result of his upbringing in extreme poverty. Kang-do has been brought up in an area where the poor are looked down upon and looked up to at the same time. He sees himself as the protector of the poor, even though he must use violent methods to do so.
The role of Mi-son is also worth mentioning. She is the embodiment of forgiveness, sacrificing everything to save her son. Mi-son's character showcases the power of a mother's love, even when the loved one is undeserving.
The movie's setting is just as important as the characters. The gritty visuals capture the bleak and ominous mood of the movie. The movie's score is minimalistic and haunting, adding to the overall sense of eeriness.
Pieta is not a movie for everyone, as it is not for the faint-hearted. The movie is heavy and has some violent and unsettling scenes. However, it is a beautiful and powerful movie, well-acted and directed, exploring the theme of forgiveness, redemption, and the impact of past actions on one's life.
The movie received critical acclaim, winning the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival in 2012. It also received nominations for Best International Film at the Film Independent Spirit Awards and Cannes Film Festival. In South Korea, the movie was a success, both commercially and critically. It was also selected as South Korea's entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards, making it to the top 9 nominated but not eventually winning.
In conclusion, Pieta is an excellent movie, exploring the darker side of humanity, showcasing the power of forgiveness and redemption, and illustrating how one's past can haunt them. The visuals and the score are excellent, and the acting is remarkable. However, it is not a movie for everyone, as the violence and disturbing scenes might be too much for some. Nonetheless, Pieta is a must-watch movie that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.
Pieta is a 2013 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 72.