Lies

a JANG SUN-WOO picture

Go to the synopsis.

Title

Lies

Director

Jang Sun-Woo

Producer

Shin Chul

Nationality

South Korea

Year

1999

Duration

115'

Language

Korean

Format

DOLBY SR

Ratio

Original Title

Gojitmal

Synopsis

Synopsis


Y, a high school student intent on losing her virginity before graduation, chooses J, a 38-year-old married sculptor. Y and J go on a sexual odyssey through to obsession and sadomasochism. Intense desires revolve around pain, pleasure and lies. The lovers become sexual vagrants, travelling from motel to motel for their torrid trysts. As J’s sexual needs take on addictive dimensions, Y’s moods fluctuate. Insecurities, doubts and indiscretions begin to weigh on a love that once knew no limits.

Trailer

Stills

Press

"A sophisticated approach to genre manipulation."

TIME OUT

"An unusually frank depiction of the outer limits of sexuality…this is a brave attempt to push back the boundaries of on-screen sex…an intriguing example of South Korean filmmaking, admirable not so much for what it depicts as for what it represents."

FILM FOUR

"A genuine and harrowing work of erotic drama…the movie captures, with an elegant voyeuristic relentlessness, the experience of what it’s like to be consumed- devoured by sex."

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

"“Lies’” intentions, though, run away from arousal and toward political commentary…it’s hard to remember that what we are watching is fictional. The performances are that flawless as is the direction and Dal Palan’s music."

INDIEWIRE

"The hottest movie in South Korean history…”Lies” manages to be lighter and less pretentious than any description suggests…made to shock, as well as to challenge local censorship."

THE VILLAGE VOICE

"This back-and-forth maneuvering is fascinating…the movie wants to deconstruct itself before your very eyes…commenting on itself and its culture, you sit up and take notice."

THE NEW YORK TIMES

Festivals
& Awards

Venice Film Festival
Best Actress Award

Toronto International Film Festival

Uruguay International Film Festival
Critics Award – Special Mention Special Jury Award

Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema

New York Asian American International Film Festival

Helsinki International Film Festival

Tokyo International Fantastic Film Festival

Hawaii Film Festival

Karlovy Vary International Film Festival

Rotterdam International Film Festival

Cast & Crew

Lee Sang Hyun
Kim Tae Yeon
Director Jang Sun-Woo
Screenplay Jang Sun-Woo
Based On The Novel Tell Me A Lie By Jang Jung Il
Director Of Photography Kim Woo Hyung
Editor Park Gok Ji
Art Director Kim Myeong Kyeong
Music Dal Palan
Producer Shin Chul
Executive Producers Park Keon Seop, Kim Moo Ryung

Releases

USA - Offline Releasing

17.11.2000

France - Mars Distribution

05.07.2000