Chihwaseon (Painted Fire)

This movie is pure art all the way through and one of my favorites of all time. This period piece is perfect from the acting, set design, costumes, makeup, scene locations, the dialogue and stories told of the south Korean artist Jang Seung-Eop are those of legend and should be required viewing for anyone who loves art and film, action, drama, profound ideas and unique perspectives about life. This man was a true artist in every sense of the word. More than this, he was a revolutionary artist. He refused to be anything except true to himself and his art. Always.It’s a shame this film 🎞 isn’t in circulation anymore. But the fact that it’s more rare and difficult to find makes it even that much more special. I will always cherish this movie and I’m so glad I have it again to show my friends, family and fellow art lovers. I hadn’t seen it since I first rented it at Blockbuster in the foreign film section decades ago. This will tear your heart, mind and soul out and put it back better than before. Do yourself a favor and buy it, prepare to be transformed then watch it! You will be glad you did. I’d give it 1000 stars if I could. Chi-hwa-seon (Painted Fire) forever!

This is the story of a locally famous artist in the dying days of the last royal dynasty of Korea. It is not only a rare and fascinating picture of his turbulent life, but we also see in the background the key events that have shaped the past century of Korean history - traditional Chinese imperialist interference, Japanese military expansionism and political infiltration, Western Christian ideas of egalitarianism and their brutal repression (probably following the Japanese Shogunate decrees) and Socialism in the form of the Peasants' Rebellion - promoted by the Japanese. Our artistic genius is an uneducated peasant often despised by the aristocracy whose patronage he requires. He moves among both peasant and aristocrat with a rare new freedom generated by his prodigious skill and equally prodigious appetites for women and drink. Art is an absolute driving force in his life and he suffers terrible torments over his search for personal perfection. Confucian society extends to the art world and he is expected to defer to his teachers in all matters. When this extends to politics, however, he balks and demurs - preferring to express himself in ink and paint. The film shows artistic genius, too, in set and scene choices and is a delight to any gourmand of the eyes.

Little disappointed. Too quite.

Shipment was fast. Excellent condition

Directed by the great living legend of Korean cinema, "Painted Fire" tells the tempestuous life story of Oh-won, one of the most famous artists of his time. Played with bombastic, larger-than-life ferocity by Choi Min-sik (of "Oldboy" fame), Oh-won is a tortured, raging alcoholic and inveterate wanderer who's cursed by his humble beginnings but blessed with an unnatural aesthetic talent that helps him survive and prosper in the tumult of the Chosun dynasty. Im's portrait of this restless, passionate spirit is also a masterwork of period filmmaking, boasting extravagant costumes and rich, earthy cinematography.

Another Korean movie....Just like how I like it.

terrible, couldn't program tried so many times,finally the subtitles were sad..second time i purchase a movie and have bn disappointed..mm

A beautifully crafted film. The scenes are beautiful and the landscape images are superb. The plot is a little confusing at times partly due to my limited knowledge of Korea's early history. This does not detract however from the film.