When depicting a person’s life, most films are chronological. They start from beginning to end, from the character’s birth to their death. However, it’s only fitting for Peppermint Candy to depict the opposite because, mild spoilers: the film starts with a suicide. What would push a person to do such a thing? Director Lee Chang-dong unpacks this tragedy through six personal moments vis-a-vis South Korea’s turbulent history, the violence lurking under peaceful times, and the way Kim Young-ho has ignored his better impulses because of it. In reverse, Kim’s life is not an easy one to watch. Each sequence transforms the one before, as each part of Kim’s past reveals a better path he could have taken, if not for the times he’s lived through.
In the spring of 1999, a group of old friends gather to celebrate their 20 year reunion. Among the group is Yeong-ho, a cold, unhappy man, whose demeanor puts a damper on the festivities. The seriousness of Yeong-ho's depression becomes apparent when he climbs a railroad bridge and looks like he might jump. At this crucial moment, memories of seven crucial episodes from Yeong-ho's past flood his mind.
Cannes
1 nomination
