Peppermint Candy (1999) | Lee Chang-dong

This is what a roller coaster ride looks like. Pitch perfect from head to toe. From the spectacular tunnel scene cutting back to the same place in the final shot, Dong's tale is like no other. I can literally watch those railway tracks moving forward all day long.

Peppermint Candy follows Yeong-ho, who seems traumatic and miserable in the first instance. After a breathtaking opening scene, Dong weaves his narrative backwards in chronological order, slowly giving us hints about the events that shaped his destiny leading to his abrupt behaviour.

Dong gives one rendition of a turbulent life shredded apart by choices. The political instability of Korea was beyond his control which relatively affected his vitality. Also, the exploration of first love as well as incorporating national shock and personal delinquency to portray a man who is both sufferer and assailant is meticulously done.

Peppermint Candy is nothing without the display of exemplary acting by Sol Kyung-gu. Rarely have I seen such a powerful presentation of a character portraying an abundance of expression and emotions throughout. The rage, the sorrow, the pain precisely everything can be seen on his face.