This shocking debut film engages from the crazy opening scene: a maze of masks, despair, disgrace, and colours. Decoding all clever meanings in this voyage through memories and hallucinations of countless war crimes is a true head-scratcher. There are hints of occupations, guerilla fights, massacres, famines, rapes, and other atrocities.

We may be aware of the infamous 38th parallel that divides Korea into two. The film whispers of real places, but we don’t hear actual names or concrete accusations in this lyrical angry poetry. Absurd and farce reign with kids playfully pretending to be dictators, who starved, tortured, and slaughtered millions of souls. Explicit sex orgies interrupt choreographed masked dances. A young bride recalls murders of half a century ago as men with no rights or identity laugh in the distance.

Javier Garcia Puerto