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A Nursery Tale

A Nursery Tale (1999)

Nov 09, 1999 32m Drama

Follows an extraordinary weekend in the not-so-extraordinary life of Jinho. The story unravels around the fatalistic pattern of our meek hero's existence-where a chance meeting with the devil offers Jinho an escape hatch to his daily humdrum, and a shot at his greatest fantasy: a night of unbridled passion with all the women of his choosing as his personal sex slaves. Jinho's shy and idiosyncratic character, however, belie the true greed and foolery of his own desires-and steeped in his "Sysphus-esque" lack of self-knowledge, he falls prey to the glitter of the forbidden fruit.

Directed by Jieho Lee

Cast

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Crew

Director
  • Jieho Lee
Producer
  • Euishin Elisa Kim

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Thematic Analysis

As a dramatic work, A Nursery Tale examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.

Director Jieho Lee brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 1999, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of A Nursery Tale took approximately 17 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 32 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 70 minutes long.
  • The costume department created over 170 unique costume pieces for the production.
  • The screenplay went through 5 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
  • The cast underwent specialized training for 6 weeks before filming began.

Historical Context

  • In 1999, when this film was released:
  • The internet was beginning to transform communication and information access.
  • The end of the Cold War was reshaping global politics.
  • Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.

How This Film Stands Out

While A Nursery Tale shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.

Unlike Descent, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, A Nursery Tale subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.

While films like Traumnovelle and 9 Songs explore similar territory, A Nursery Tale stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.

This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.

Details

  • Release Date: November 9, 1999
  • Runtime: 32m

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