Watch Resurrection of the Little Match Girl
- 2002
- 2 hr 3 min
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5.5 (1,194)
Resurrection of the Little Match Girl is a 2002 South Korean science-fiction film directed by Jang Sun-woo. This movie is a retelling of the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, "The Little Match Girl," in a post-apocalyptic future. The movie starts with a sequence of war footage and images of destruction, which suggests that World War III may have taken place in the near future. The world has become a desolate and grim place, where humans live in ruins and struggle to survive. The story follows the life of a young girl named Soo-ah (Eun-kyeong Lim), who works as a prostitute in a futuristic brothel.
Soo-ah is a tragic character who is constantly seeking a way out of her bleak existence. She is haunted by memories of her past and is consumed with guilt for having abandoned her mother and sister during the war. One day, while wandering the streets, she comes across a mysterious man named Do-won (Hyun-sung Kim), who claims to have come from the future.
Do-won tells Soo-ah that her destiny is to become the savior of the world, and he gives her a box of matches as a sign of her mission. The matches represent hope, and they are the key to Soo-ah's salvation. Do-won explains that the box contains a device that can change the course of history, which was left by a time traveler named The Old Man (Jin-pyo Kim).
Soo-ah sets out to find The Old Man, who has the power to reset time and change the course of history. Along the way, she encounters many challenges and faces various obstacles, including a group of cyborgs who are hot on her trail. She also confronts her repressed memories and learns the truth about her past.
The film touches on themes like loss, guilt, redemption, and sacrifice. It also explores the idea of hope and how it can transform lives. Soo-ah's journey is one of self-discovery, and her character undergoes a transformation throughout the movie. In the end, Soo-ah realizes that her mission is more significant than her petty concerns, and she sacrifices herself to save the world.
The film is shot in a gritty style that suits the post-apocalyptic setting. The director's use of color is also noteworthy, as he employs a muted color palette that conveys a sense of despair and hopelessness. The special effects are impressive and add to the sci-fi elements of the story.
The acting is superb, particularly Eun-kyeong Lim's performance as Soo-ah. She brings depth to the character and conveys the conflicting emotions Soo-ah feels throughout the movie. Hyun-sung Kim is also notable as Do-won, the time traveler who guides Soo-ah on her quest.
Overall, Resurrection of the Little Match Girl is a thought-provoking and emotional film that combines elements of sci-fi, fantasy, and drama. While it may not be suitable for all audiences due to its mature themes and content, it is a powerful story that is worth seeing.