Introduction
Gangnam Blues is an action film directed by Yoo Ha. The plot revolves around the real estate scene in the 1970s Gangnam district in Seoul. The use of various shots and backgrounds enables this movie to effectively portray a tumultuous period in South Korea’s history. The dynamic action scenes help it cross the line between period drama and contemporary entertainment. Social and political commentary on Asian culture has increased in recent years. To understand and connect with Asian culture, studying its arts and the elements that contribute to artists’ visions is imperative.
Political, Social, and Economic Context of the Film
In 1970, Gangnam faced collusion between political and criminal powers, as they fought for land, driven by the prospect of monetary and social gain. The need for people to rise above their situation or acquire more money and power is conveyed through the clever use of mise-en-scène, which refers to the set designs and the arrangement of actors in a shot. The socio-political environment of that time centered on people’s ambitions, which stemmed from the aspiration for a better life.
A conversation between the section chief and Park Seung-gu exemplifies mise-en-scène used to portray ambition. The discussion of their plans concludes with a shot of the section chief standing on the left side of the screen, set against a nighttime cityscape (Yoo). As he turns, the sight of the city comes into focus, and the camera zooms in on it. This shot signifies the importance of land as a tool for success; it is the object of their desire.
Gangnam’s economic situation during that period is established brilliantly through a scene where the two main characters execute their plan of buying land from locals. Their idea is to pretend to be reporters from a newspaper, which involves them walking through a poor neighborhood to make an impression. The scene employs a range of wide shots that depict decaying buildings and the locals, who are astonished by the newcomers’ dashing looks.
This kind of mise-en-scène contrasts the local people’s background characters and the main characters. In addition, it features character designs, such as people dressed in traditional clothing (two women passing by) and a person dressed in dirty, grey clothes (a man sitting on the sidewalk). It allows us to establish that ambition for high social ground separates the protagonists from the others.
The same scene features a medium shot of the two characters conversing on the efficiency of their idea. The characters are shot from a low angle, positioning them above the rest of the scenery. They are filled with determination and surety that their plan is working, hence the positioning of their figures. The background features muted colors, highlighting the decrepit nature of the surroundings; however, the scene is brightly lit, portraying the events in a positive light.
Cinematography
Since Gangnam Blues is an action film, much of its cinematography shines in action scenes. In recent years, the formula of classic action movies has resurfaced (Aldredge, para. 1). One of the staples of classic action is the fight scene. While essential for an action film’s dynamic nature, a fight scene provides a sense of violence and disturbance to the plot. As mentioned previously, in the 1970s and 1960s, Gangnam was subject to volatile developments. Fighting in this movie does not serve a single purpose of entertainment, as it adds drama and emotional turmoil to the narrative.
A skillfully shot fight scene occurs during a funeral, with a set design including rain, greenery, and water-worn terrain. For this action sequence, an array of wide shots is used, which allows the viewer to take in the chaotic essence of the fight. The scene opens with a wide shot of characters standing around an open grave with their backs turned to the camera. The main character is standing in the middle of a shot, separated from others.
This arrangement tells the viewer that the protagonist stands out from the rest even in shared grief. This point is proved further when the attack takes place with a medium shot portraying the protagonist turning towards the danger of attackers pouring into the scene. The main character is seen walking closer to the aggressors, the flat camera angle emphasizing his focus on the attackers while his allies are rushing and struggling in the background. As the fight commences and continues, the mud begins to stain the characters’ black suits; however, the focus on the main character remains.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Gangnam Blues represents the commentary and analysis of Asian culture and history in combination with a classic action movie formula. It employs set design and shot compositions to convey 1970s Gangnam’s explosive disposition in both social and political aspects. The economic structure of South Korea at that time is depicted through both character and set design. The way camera angles are arranged allows the viewer to gauge a character’s emotional state, be it turmoil, aspiration, or ambition.
Works Cited
Aldredge, Jourdan. “Genre Insights: 5 Things You Need to Make an Action Movie.” The Beat, 2019. Web.
Yoo, Ha, director. Gangnam blues. Showbox, 2015.