Cobweb (2023)
There was a point where Hollywood defined the work of filmmakers as being a playground of dreams. Clean, inspiring, and honest, filmmakers can create different worlds and inspect the lives of anyone or anything. This process, however, is not a clean and polished journey. As cinema has evolved, so has the understanding of both the internal and external forces that filmmakers have to dance with. Production is often chaotic, dynamic, and dirty as a million different pieces come together to print a single image onto celluloid. Screening as part of the 2023 San Diego Asian Film Festival, Kim Jee-woon's Cobweb is an analysis of this process.
Cobweb centers on a South Korean filmmaker who simply goes by Director Kim (Song Kang-ho). In the final stages of making his new film, also called Cobweb, Kim gets a desire to rewrite and reshoot the ending of the feature despite protest from nearly all parties. Still, Kim cannot get over this feeling that this is a process that needs to happen and he pushes the crew to rush and complete his new vision only adding to the chaos of the filmmaking experience.
Incredibly entertaining and energetic, Cobweb is at its best when it commits to blending its humorous tone and speed with the deeper authentic core of Kim Jee-woon exploring what the filmmaking process means to him. Obviously a personal story, Kim Jee-woon offers a rather beautiful and vulnerable look into his own insecurities and fears as a filmmaker. From feeling anxious at the results as he films to a constant questioning of identity within the project he is working on, the film feels like both a celebration and attack on the filmmaking experience. This more honest backbone is only enhanced by the film's place in Kim Jee-woon's filmography. Within the film, Director Kim's relationship to his early work is brought up time and time again with Kim seemingly having a complex relationship with where his career has grown and what his earlier work meant to him. For Kim Jee-woon, his earlier career in the genre comedy has undeniably been overshadowed by his work with horror which has gained the filmmaker international attention. To see him, therefore, return to the comedy genre for such a personal statement is beautiful and adds a new level of poignance to the feature as a whole.
It is impressive that while the film holds this deeper soul, it is also incredibly entertaining. As Director Kim faces endless issues and wacky situations as he tries to finish his film, Cobweb is easy to get lost in as a well-crafted comedic experience. This side of the film is crucial for keeping the audience engaged for the film's 135-minute runtime that never feels as if it truly drags. The one strange choice with narrative is the continued usage of a black and white film within a film. While this does serve an ultimate purpose, it does feel quite unneeded all things considered and can hurt the pacing of certain scenes.
In front of the camera, praise naturally has to be given to Song Kang-ho who gives a personable and thoughtful performance. In supporting roles, there is a great energy seen by Lim Soo-jung and Jeon Yeo-been that keep the film moving. Perhaps most impressive, considering her smaller role, is the intensity and venom brought by Kim Min-jae as she puts pressure on the production and threatens them of what the consequences could mean if the project fails. These individuals come together to create a great ensemble piece that has no noticeable weak links. From the comedy to the drama, every actor delivers when called upon and brings this screenplay to life.
While some might be disappointed to see Kim Jee-woon step outside of the horror genre, Cobweb is undeniably a rich and worthwhile viewing experience. Blending chaotic fun with an authentic heart, the film is an important statement on filmmaking and the soul of a filmmaker that both entertains and moves.
Cobweb centers on a South Korean filmmaker who simply goes by Director Kim (Song Kang-ho). In the final stages of making his new film, also called Cobweb, Kim gets a desire to rewrite and reshoot the ending of the feature despite protest from nearly all parties. Still, Kim cannot get over this feeling that this is a process that needs to happen and he pushes the crew to rush and complete his new vision only adding to the chaos of the filmmaking experience.
Incredibly entertaining and energetic, Cobweb is at its best when it commits to blending its humorous tone and speed with the deeper authentic core of Kim Jee-woon exploring what the filmmaking process means to him. Obviously a personal story, Kim Jee-woon offers a rather beautiful and vulnerable look into his own insecurities and fears as a filmmaker. From feeling anxious at the results as he films to a constant questioning of identity within the project he is working on, the film feels like both a celebration and attack on the filmmaking experience. This more honest backbone is only enhanced by the film's place in Kim Jee-woon's filmography. Within the film, Director Kim's relationship to his early work is brought up time and time again with Kim seemingly having a complex relationship with where his career has grown and what his earlier work meant to him. For Kim Jee-woon, his earlier career in the genre comedy has undeniably been overshadowed by his work with horror which has gained the filmmaker international attention. To see him, therefore, return to the comedy genre for such a personal statement is beautiful and adds a new level of poignance to the feature as a whole.
It is impressive that while the film holds this deeper soul, it is also incredibly entertaining. As Director Kim faces endless issues and wacky situations as he tries to finish his film, Cobweb is easy to get lost in as a well-crafted comedic experience. This side of the film is crucial for keeping the audience engaged for the film's 135-minute runtime that never feels as if it truly drags. The one strange choice with narrative is the continued usage of a black and white film within a film. While this does serve an ultimate purpose, it does feel quite unneeded all things considered and can hurt the pacing of certain scenes.
In front of the camera, praise naturally has to be given to Song Kang-ho who gives a personable and thoughtful performance. In supporting roles, there is a great energy seen by Lim Soo-jung and Jeon Yeo-been that keep the film moving. Perhaps most impressive, considering her smaller role, is the intensity and venom brought by Kim Min-jae as she puts pressure on the production and threatens them of what the consequences could mean if the project fails. These individuals come together to create a great ensemble piece that has no noticeable weak links. From the comedy to the drama, every actor delivers when called upon and brings this screenplay to life.
While some might be disappointed to see Kim Jee-woon step outside of the horror genre, Cobweb is undeniably a rich and worthwhile viewing experience. Blending chaotic fun with an authentic heart, the film is an important statement on filmmaking and the soul of a filmmaker that both entertains and moves.