Pruning the Grapevine

Pruning the Grapevine

115 mins | Feb. 22, 2007

Catholic seminary student Soo-hyeon is having a hard time deciding whether to stay on the road to priesthood or give in to his earthly love for a girl named Sue, whom he has just abandoned even though he still loves her. He takes advantage of a visit to his sick mother to look for Sue, but she refuses him. The persuasive rector reverses Soo-hyeon’s decision to leave the seminary with a proposal that he undergo a catharsis in the monastery. The doubting youngster’s new-found peace is lost however when he sees novice Helena, whose similarity to Sue awakens his defused emotions. The cool tonality of the shots of the Korean countryside and the monastery interiors harmonises perfectly with the aesthetically austere, nonetheless suggestive direction, which mediates the young man’s internal conflict and his fear of making the most important decision of his life. The lead role is played by rising star of Korean film Seo Jang-won, whose acting debut in the film The Unforgiven was shown at last

Pruning the Grapevine

115 mins | Feb. 22, 2007

Pruning the Grapevine
Catholic seminary student Soo-hyeon is having a hard time deciding whether to stay on the road to priesthood or give in to his earthly love for a girl named Sue, whom he has just abandoned even though he still loves her. He takes advantage of a visit to his sick mother to look for Sue, but she refuses him. The persuasive rector reverses Soo-hyeon’s decision to leave the seminary with a proposal that he undergo a catharsis in the monastery. The doubting youngster’s new-found peace is lost however when he sees novice Helena, whose similarity to Sue awakens his defused emotions. The cool tonality of the shots of the Korean countryside and the monastery interiors harmonises perfectly with the aesthetically austere, nonetheless suggestive direction, which mediates the young man’s internal conflict and his fear of making the most important decision of his life. The lead role is played by rising star of Korean film Seo Jang-won, whose acting debut in the film The Unforgiven was shown at last
Producers
Original title 포도나무를 베어라
Directors Min Byung-hun
Writers Hyun-chul Park, Min Byung-hun

Cast

Lee Min-jung

as Sue, Helena

Seo Jang-won

as Soo-Hyeon

Lee Ho-Young

as Kang-Woo

Ki Joo-bong

as Father Moon