Top Korean Films of 2013

10. Manshin: Ten Thousands Spirits

Shamanism has often made for a tantalizing ingredient in Korean films, but as vibrant as it is, it is equally mysterious and somewhat impenetrable. Park Chan-kyong’s new docudrama Manshin renders the subject more accessible than I’ve ever seen it before. By taking us through the life of a famous national shaman (actresses such as Kim Sae-ron and Moon So-ri play her in reconstructions of her younger years) the film gets up close and personal with the mindset that goes behind this set of beliefs.

Most impressive are the various ‘guts’ (shaman rituals) that are staged with kaleidoscopic colors and hypnotic crescendos of sound. Immersive and dynamic, Manshin is proof of Korea’s impressive documentary output.

MKC Review

Intro - 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 - Best of the Rest

Top 10 Lists

Year   2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - All Time (Top 25)

Genre   Gangster - Revenge

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