Movie Review) Intense yet lighthearted, 'Daytime Drinking' delights audiences

By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, Jan. 22 (Yonhap) -- The internationally acclaimed film "Daytime Drinking
(Natsul)" proves two things beyond doubt: One, drinking in the daytime is bound
to cause trouble, and two, US$10,000 is more than enough to make an excellent
movie.
The movie, director Noh Young-seok's feature debut, has garnered intense
attention from critics and film buffs here long before it is scheduled to hit the
local screens.
The low-budget, self-produced movie was invited and awarded by several film
festivals, including the Jeonju International Film Festival, Toronto Film
Festival and Locarno Film Festival, last year, and will be screened at several
more international events this year.
"I hope you didn't come with too high expectations," the director told audiences
at the movie's first preview in Seoul on Wednesday. His self-deprecation only
served to increase the anticipation however, and luckily for him, the movie
appeared to easily live up to its hype.
Faithful to the title, the film starts in Seoul one winter when Hyeok-jin (Song
Sam-dong) meets his friends for a drink after being dumped by his girlfriend.
Several rounds of soju, or Korean hard liquor later, Hyeok-jin and his friends
agree to take a trip the next day to Jeongseon in the distant province of
Gangwon.
The next morning, many cigarettes and phone calls later, the heart-broken
20-something realizes that none of his friends, hung over from their previous
night's heavy session, are going to make it.
Hyeok-jin decides to take the trip anyway, oblivious to the odd chain of
coincidences that awaits him.
While befriending and being taken advantage of by strangers, including a gay
truck driver, a seductive female thief and a nasty guesthouse owner, Hyeok-jin
stumbles toward an epic hangover. Though he is desperate to leave the strange
town immediately, the indecisive male finds himself held back by appeasing offers
of drinks and food by weird but intriguing strangers.
"I wondered whether this movie will be understood by foreign viewers because the
theme and the tone are ultra-Korean," Noh said.
Indeed, "Daytime Drinking" is a strictly-Korean tale centering on the country's
drinking culture which, unlike in the West, invariably involves endless
sidedishes as well and accepting drinks out of politeness.
Yet the mildly black comedy about men's endless desire for alcohol and women has
managed to tickle audiences worldwide. Even roughly shot scenes and somewhat
awkward acting by a largely unknown cast attribute to the comic essence of the
movie, leaving audiences roaring with laughter.
"A remarkable achievement for its shoestring budget, this is a truly independent
project with an untamed spirit," Canadian critic Giovanna Fulvi said after the
movie was premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last year.
The multi-talented director, who not only directed, produced, wrote and edited
the film but also decorated the sets and composed the music, says the movie is
based largely on his personal experience.
"I would take trips alone, wondering who I will be meeting along the way and how
fun it would be," Noh said, adding many of the scenes were shot when actors and
himself were "really drunk."
Giving renewed hopes to the domestic film industry and emerging directors with
little money, the movie has been sold to American distributor Eleven Arts and
will hit the screens in the United States early this year.
The only minor weak point appears to be the movie's lengthy running time of 115
minutes, which may seem a little tedious for audiences used to movies that unfold
speedily.
"Daytime Drinking" will be screened at local cinemas beginning Feb. 5.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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