Halloween Show: A Tale of Two Sisters — [Janghwa, Hongryeon], directed by Jee-woon Kim, South Korea 2003, 115'

The iconic South Korean horror that shook viewers around the world is back in 4K. Su-mi and her younger sister Su-yeon return to their family home. Their father and his second wife, Eun-joo, are waiting for them there. The very first meeting shows that there can be no question of a peaceful life under one roof. Su-mi does not hide her dislike for her stepmother, Su-yeon keeps close to her older sister, and her father remains on the sidelines. There is a rapid build-up of tension in the house, which no one can relieve.

Kim Jee-woon traces the famous Korean folk tale of Janghwa and Hongryeon, moving it into the modern history of a family marked by distrust. It is family relationships that give horror a special weight. The older sister tries to protect the younger one, the stepmother fights for her position, and the father remains aloof in the face of the conflict. In this house, every gesture and every glance can mean more than it seems at first glance. The tale of two sisters is a psychological horror film in which beauty does not bring solace. Ornate wallpaper, heavy furniture, saturated colors and carefully composed frames create a space as delightful as it is disturbing. The camera looks at the rooms, corridors and faces of the protagonists, patiently building tension. Sometimes a silence that lasts a little too long is enough.