MY BEAUTIFUL GIRL, MARI
The seagull as ambassador of the sea and an almost forgotten object from the past unites two old friends and awakens memories of their childhood.
Nam-woo and Jun-ho grow up as best friends in a remote fishing village, where they struggle with the everyday challenges of adolescence but also have to face heavy blows of fate. Nam-woo, who lost his father at an early age, is soon immersed in a fantasy world full of wonders. The portal to this world is located in a disused lighthouse, where he encounters unknown mythical creatures, giant flying fish and a mysterious girl he calls Mari. The journeys are an escape from a reality marked by abandonment and fear of change. “My Beautiful Girl, Mari” is full of dazzling symbolism, but without ever drifting into kitsch. The lighthouse, for example, which is soon to be torn down, stands as a symbol for the gradual ending of Nam-woo’s youth. One thing is clear, however: the world as the two friends know it will not last much longer – and Mari’s magical fantasy world is also crumbling.
Sung-Gang Lee uses detailed, semi-realistic backgrounds to create a dreamy visual level. The contrast between the dreary, overcast reality of the fishing village and Mari’s world is made visible through a pastel colour palette. A film that combines bleakness and bizarre beauty.
“My Beautiful Girl, Mari” was honoured with the Grand Prix for Best Feature Film at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2002. (Louise Østergaard)
Nam-woo and Jun-ho grow up as best friends in a remote fishing village, where they struggle with the everyday challenges of adolescence but also have to face heavy blows of fate. Nam-woo, who lost his father at an early age, is soon immersed in a fantasy world full of wonders. The portal to this world is located in a disused lighthouse, where he encounters unknown mythical creatures, giant flying fish and a mysterious girl he calls Mari. The journeys are an escape from a reality marked by abandonment and fear of change. “My Beautiful Girl, Mari” is full of dazzling symbolism, but without ever drifting into kitsch. The lighthouse, for example, which is soon to be torn down, stands as a symbol for the gradual ending of Nam-woo’s youth. One thing is clear, however: the world as the two friends know it will not last much longer – and Mari’s magical fantasy world is also crumbling.
Sung-Gang Lee uses detailed, semi-realistic backgrounds to create a dreamy visual level. The contrast between the dreary, overcast reality of the fishing village and Mari’s world is made visible through a pastel colour palette. A film that combines bleakness and bizarre beauty.
“My Beautiful Girl, Mari” was honoured with the Grand Prix for Best Feature Film at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2002. (Louise Østergaard)
Info
Duration 79'
Country KR, 2002
