The Handmaiden: Adaptation of Sarah Waters' Fingersmith Novel

The Handmaiden brilliantly intertwines themes of love and class struggle through its captivating characters and visually stunning storytelling.

### Adapting "The Handmaiden": A Journey Through Love, Class, and Identity
* 📚 "The Handmaiden," based on Sarah Waters' novel "Fingersmith," is a notable adaptation that intertwines **queer narratives** within a **historical context**.
* 🎥 The film's director initially approached the author about six years ago, but she found the original story **too captivating to alter significantly**, leading to a delay in adaptation.
* 💔 The original narrative's bittersweet ending inspired the author to create a version where the protagonists could find a **satisfying resolution**, reflecting on themes of **revenge and love**.
* 🏰 Set against the backdrop of the colonial era, the film explores **class disparities reminiscent of the Joseon Dynasty**, enhancing the narrative's **emotional depth**.
* 👩 The chemistry between actresses Kim Min-hee and Kim Tae-ri is highlighted, with their performances capturing the **complexities of love and care** amidst societal constraints.
* 🌙 The film's visual storytelling emphasizes sensory experiences, such as the **intimate moments shared between the characters**, enhanced by the use of **moonlight and carefully crafted soundscapes**.
* 🎭 The director's meticulous attention to mise-en-scène creates a rich atmosphere, blending **Western and Japanese architectural styles** to reflect the characters' **inner turmoil and desires**.
* 🌍 The film resonates with broader themes of **identity and cultural conflict**, mirroring the complexities of **love and belonging** within a colonized society, making it a **poignant exploration of human connection**.

### The Creative Journey: Insights into Directing, Casting, and Storytelling
* 🎬 The emergence of a talented British actor led to a captivating breakfast meeting where mutual understanding about casting took shape, highlighting **Florence Pugh as a shared interest among producers**.
* 👥 The director's unique approach to storytelling includes **exceptional casting choices**, a preference for **fantasy over reality**, and a **compassionate view towards characters**, even those that must be **eliminated**.
* 🧠 The complexity of character development is illustrated through the **chilling transformation of a friend**, emphasizing the **vulnerability inherent in human nature**.
* 🕵 The cunning nature of the spy master Marty is explored, drawing parallels to **"The Handmaiden,"** showcasing themes of **love and manipulation** within the narrative.
* 🎭 The creative process of cross-editing and the significance of each supporting character are highlighted, revealing the **intricacies involved in developing a long series**.
* 📖 The director's homage to Émile Zola's "Thérèse Raquin" reflects the struggle of characters with **intense desires**, leading to their **eventual ruin**, while simultaneously exploring the **essence of human choices**.
* 🎨 The use of color and costume design in portraying the psychological aspects of characters is emphasized, particularly how **blue contrasts with blood** to convey **deeper meanings** in the film.
* 🌍 The blend of traditional and modern elements in the film's setting mirrors contemporary Korean culture, showcasing the **tension and energy** that arises from **diverse influences**.

### Adapting Fingersmith: The Making of The Handmaiden
The Handmaiden is based on Sarah Waters' novel **Fingersmith** and is set in the **19th century**, with a unique adaptation for the film. The director's persistent approach and the desire for a **different outcome for the characters** led to the film's creation. The chemistry between the two female leads, Kim Min-hee and Kim Tae-ri, and the exploration of **love and motherhood** are central themes in the film.

### The Complex Dynamics of Love and Class in "The Handmaiden"
The film "The Handmaiden" explores the **stark class differences** between two characters, Dae and Suki, who are constantly aware of each other despite their different living situations. The story captures **magical moments of connection** and **transcends boundaries**, while also addressing **taboo topics**. Kim Min-hee's captivating performance and the director's unique casting choices contribute to the film's **powerful narrative and emotional depth**.

### The Impact of Jo Jin-woong in the Film
Jo Jin-woong's portrayal of the uncle's character adds **depth and intensity**, making his role **more significant**. The film's plot revolves around Hirang and Kiki, with Kiki's drama unfolding alongside. The director's unique approach to the script and mise-en-scène creates a **complex and dynamic atmosphere**, exploring themes of **cultural intersection and imperialistic modernism** during the colonial era.

### The Art of Filmmaking with Anamorphic Lenses
Anamorphic lenses, though expensive and rare in Korea, provide a unique film feel with their **beautifully blurred out-of-focus areas**. The decision to shoot in a cinema scope format required significant modifications to the set design, aiming for a **larger space to avoid a cluttered setting**. The complex design of Kozuki Mob's study and the use of Japanese garden elements aimed to create a specific scene and **evoke a sense of connection and sensibility**.

### The Importance of Disguise and Identity in Park Gam-dong's Work
Park Gam-dong's works feature characters living under disguise, with Charlie's meeting Gadi Becker being a **pivotal scene**. The author's background in intelligence agencies and use of a pseudonym adds **realism to the spy narratives** in his novels. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict's **complex history** resonates with the author, while Florence Pugh's impressive acting and mutual understanding with the director highlight their **shared vision for the project**.

### Reflections on Director Park and the Art of Storytelling
The speaker draws parallels between Director Park and the characters in his work, highlighting **exceptional casting**, a **love for fantasy**, and a **patient approach to character elimination**. The transformation of a friend and the **cunning nature of the spy master, Marty**, are noted as impactful elements in the story. The speaker emphasizes the significance of **cross-editing** and the **unique development of supporting characters** in the long series, aiming to create a **captivating and unconventional storytelling experience**.

### The Challenges of Filmmaking and Creative Inspiration
The director's vibrant moments captured in photos overwhelmed the writer, leading to **unexpected tears** during their meeting. The scriptwriting process was challenging due to differing opinions among producers, resulting in a **rushed and incomplete script** during filming. The writer's strong attachment to the story and the director's insights played a crucial role in developing the original work, while the collaboration with actors fostered **trust and a desire to work together again**.

### The Casting Journey and Character Development in a Vampire Story
The director faced challenges in casting **Song Kang-ho as a priest**, struggling to match his image with the **sensuality needed for a vampire story**. Kim Ok-bin was also considered for the role, and the director worked with the makeup and costume team to create an **older look for her**. The director's casual meeting with the cinematographer, accompanied by an **unexpected expensive wine**, played a crucial role in **finalizing the cast**.

### The Eerie Use of Everyday Objects in Film
The scissors' dual blades create an **unsettling atmosphere**, especially when used in a chilling scene with the character Kang Woo. The movie explores the **complex dynamics** between two vampire characters, Sang-yeon and Tae-joo, challenging traditional notions of **sympathy**. The film's climax features a **shocking moment of desperation and moral conflict**, highlighting the characters' struggle with their **dark desires** and the **ethical dilemmas of survival**.

### The Impact of Sang-hyun's Prayer and Costume Design
The scene is inspired by Sang-hyun's famous prayer, which calls for **self-discarding and embracing humiliation** as a form of heroism. The character's transformation is reflected in their costume, with a gradual shift from patterned blue to a **solid blue outfit**, symbolizing their **descent into a non-human existence**. The use of blue as a psychological color contrasts with blood and intensifies the female character's significance, while the interior design blends different styles, reflecting the **tension and new energy of modern Korea**.

'동조자' 전에 '아가씨'와 '박쥐'가 있었다🎞 박찬욱이 밝히는 '소설 원작 영화' 각색하는 법✨ feat. 정서경 작가, 류성희 감독ㅣ방구석1열ㅣJTBC 181026 방송 외

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