Oasis (2002)

Directed by: Lee Chang-dong | 132 minutes | drama, romance | Actors: Kyung-gu Sol, So-ri Moon, Nae-sang Ahn, Seung-wan Ryoo, Kwi-Jung Chu, Jin-gu Kim, Byung-ho Son, Ga-hyun Yun, Myeong-shin Park, Kyung-geun Park

After seeing ‘Oasis’, a journalist seems to have remarked that it was irresponsible to have a spastic woman act in the film. Although this observation is somewhat surprising given that director Chang Dong Lee explicitly shows through dream scenes that the actress is not really disabled, it shows the effectiveness of the portrayal. This persuasiveness allows the viewer to really imagine the situations shown and start caring about the fate of the characters. Because of course it helps enormously if the viewer gets the impression that he is looking at a real person instead of an actor or actress with some rehearsed mannerisms; just like ‘What’s Eating Gilbert Grape’, when many viewers thought Leonardo di Caprio really had a mental disability. So big compliments to So-ri Moon, who largely determines the success of the film.

However, as clever as this actress’s portrayal is, the acting of her male co-star, Kyung-gu Sol, is perhaps even more admirable. The brain abnormality of his character is less serious, and he still has to remain somewhat approachable to his environment and accessible to the viewer. The latter is further complicated by certain morally ambiguous actions, which make it difficult to develop sympathy for this character. For example, he has a criminal past and assaults Gong-ju during their second meeting. But not everything is equally easy to pigeonhole.

Of course, rape – or the attempt to do so – cannot be excused, but the manners and circumstances of those involved are anything but traditional. To begin with, it is difficult for her to express herself well and for him to establish adequate contact. Building a relationship with a good conversation or subtle flirtation is not an option. Also, due to her condition and appearance, the girl has never had sexual contact, making Jong-du (Sol)’s touches both scary and “interesting”. And since Jong-du has also called her “beautiful”, it is not inconceivable that she certainly feels flattered by this attention. Furthermore, Jong-du is not a bad guy without scruples. He does have remorse and behaves humbly towards her after his misdeed. He sends her a bunch of flowers, she approaches, and something beautiful actually begins to bloom. And gradually, Jong-du begins to regain the viewer’s trust.

This complex relationship, which becomes more and more touching and truly shows mutual love, is what makes ‘Oasis’ so unique and interesting. There is also a fascinating contrast between Jong-du, who is increasingly empathetic towards Gong-ju and shows a good heart, and his family and social environment, who look down on both him and her because they are different. are (and she is deemed ugly). Jong-du’s big brother states that he has long unsuccessfully tried to make him more human, while ironically, he himself falls short in this area. The scene in which Jong-du takes his new girlfriend to a family dinner is poignant and she is not even given a look. It is extremely humiliating when she is repeatedly pushed away from the family portrait in her wheelchair. The couple is so clearly stated that she does not belong, and would seriously mar the photo with her deviant appearance.

According to the director, the big theme of ‘Oasis’ is “communication”, and indeed many key events in the film are the result of the inability to communicate between different individuals or groups – something that is perhaps a little too explicit in the final act of the film. and is portrayed melodramatically – but in part it is also about the unwillingness to communicate, and about selfishness and narrow-mindedness. It goes a long way to make Jong-du a hero by his positively changing behavior, but his character shows that it pays to look further. And that beauty can be everywhere.