Details

Director: Kwon Man-Ki
Lead actors: Dae-gun Kim, Ji-hye Yoon 
Country: South Korean
Language: Korean
Subtitle: English
Rating: NC16
Duration: 104 mins

Synopsis

[Part of the Contemporary Asian Cinema Series co-organized by Filmgarde and the Singapore Film Society]
Jung-ju has lost her son to heart disease and can’t break free from the pain of that loss. She spends most of her waking hours working, drinking, and going to church. One day, Min-gu, a young man newly out of prison joins her company. Looking shabby and his face covered with scars, Jung-ju recognizes Min-gu, the boy who Jung-ju and her husband had kidnapped 12 years ago for the ransom money for their son’s operation. Now Jung-ju’s life is disturbed by him. Inevitably, Jung-ju becomes curious about Min-gu as much as she feels guilty with him.

REVIEWS

“Well produced on a modest budget and boasting fine central performances by Yoon Ji-hye (“Kundo, Age of the Rampant”) and newcomer Kim Dae-gun, the film deserves the attention of festival programmers and ought to make a mark in local art houses following its world premiere in the New Currents competition at Busan.”

– Richard Kuipers, Variety

“The trajectory of the story will not deliver too many surprises, nor will Kwon’s low-key approach – score is restrained, dialogue understated. But there is a raw empathy for these damaged characters which gives the film its emotional weight. And, crucially, it closes with a hint of hope.”

– Wendy Ide, Screen Daily

“The minimalist and naturalistic tone of the movie is beautifully conveyed by the cinematography using a muted palette of neutral colors. Joy seems to have drained out of the images too – as well as the characters’ lives – and what is left is an anaemic beige/blue shade. “Clean Up” is a poignant drama, impactful and thought provoking; a portrait of a deviated yet beautiful humanity and a layered metaphor.”

– Adriana Rosati, Asian Movie Pulse