Birdcage Inn
Encyclopedia
Birdcage Inn Blue Gate, is South Korean director Ki-duk Kim
's third film, released in 1998. The drama stars Ji-eun Lee, Hae-eun Lee and Jae-mo Ahn. It was released domestically in October 1998, and screened at the Berlin International Film Festival
in February 1999.
Not only the circumstances of Jin-a but also the family gives her a hard time.
The silent father who apparently gives good caring for his family and has good reputations among the neighbors rapes Jin-a. The mother only sees Jin-a as a source of money for making a living and educating her college student daughter and high school student son. The son, Hyun-woo (Ahn Jae-mo) begs to take naked pictures of Jin-a to run for a contest and have sex with her. At first, Jin-a turns him down. But after Hyun-woo's long imploration, Jin-a poses for him on the deck of a ship by the seaside and has sex with him. Afterwards he taps Jin-a's room by using his walkman to overhear Jin-a and her guests.
The daughter, Hye-mi (Lee Hye-eun) who is the same age as Jin-a and sexually repressed doesn't hide her contempt towards Jin-a. She expresses her hostility by refusing to use the same toothpaste and hand basin with Jin-a and ignores Jin-a's friendly gestures like sharing an umbrella and buying her a walkman which she's been dying to have. She emphasizes to Jin-a that she herself and Jin-a belong to the different world. And she's been rejecting sex with her boyfriend before they get married. The relationship between the two even gets worse when Hye-mi finds out that her sexually frustrated boyfriend has gone to Jin-a and has had sex with her.
One day, rummaging through Jin-a's room and personal possessions, Hye-mi develops sympathy towards Jin-a as the same age girl. That night Hye-mi lies on bed and taps Jin-a's room and eavesdrops on Jin-a and her guest.
Meanwhile a publisher having seen Hyun-woo's photos of Jin-a comes to him and deceivingly gets the film at a low price. After seeing Jin-a's nude on the magazine, Jin-a's former pimp who's been exploiting her money comes to her again for money, supposing that she's been paid a lot for that and beats Jin-a when she denies it. Hye-mi tries to protect her from him and he leaves them saying he'll come again for the money. That night Jin-a makes an attempt to kill herself by cutting her arm and is found by Hye-mi who has had a nightmare about Jin-a.
Jin-a and Hye-mi sit together leaning towards each other and reconcile. That night, a guest comes into the inn and Hye-mi spends the night with him instead of sick Jin-a and loses her virginity.
Kim Ki-duk
Kim Ki-duk is a South Korean filmmaker noted for his idiosyncratic "art-house" cinematic works. His films have received many distinctions in the festival circuit. He is not related to the Kim Ki-duk who directed Yonggary in the 1960s...
's third film, released in 1998. The drama stars Ji-eun Lee, Hae-eun Lee and Jae-mo Ahn. It was released domestically in October 1998, and screened at the Berlin International Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
in February 1999.
Plot
A prostitute works at a small seaside motel called the Birdcage Inn. Jin-a (Lee Ji-eun), a 22-year-old prostitute, comes to the inn to replace the previous prostitute. The inn is run by a couple who have a daughter and a son. They provide Jin-a with a room and meals and make a living by taking a portion of the money Jin-a earns. Jin-a works at night and spends her daytime drawing and watching the sea.Not only the circumstances of Jin-a but also the family gives her a hard time.
The silent father who apparently gives good caring for his family and has good reputations among the neighbors rapes Jin-a. The mother only sees Jin-a as a source of money for making a living and educating her college student daughter and high school student son. The son, Hyun-woo (Ahn Jae-mo) begs to take naked pictures of Jin-a to run for a contest and have sex with her. At first, Jin-a turns him down. But after Hyun-woo's long imploration, Jin-a poses for him on the deck of a ship by the seaside and has sex with him. Afterwards he taps Jin-a's room by using his walkman to overhear Jin-a and her guests.
The daughter, Hye-mi (Lee Hye-eun) who is the same age as Jin-a and sexually repressed doesn't hide her contempt towards Jin-a. She expresses her hostility by refusing to use the same toothpaste and hand basin with Jin-a and ignores Jin-a's friendly gestures like sharing an umbrella and buying her a walkman which she's been dying to have. She emphasizes to Jin-a that she herself and Jin-a belong to the different world. And she's been rejecting sex with her boyfriend before they get married. The relationship between the two even gets worse when Hye-mi finds out that her sexually frustrated boyfriend has gone to Jin-a and has had sex with her.
One day, rummaging through Jin-a's room and personal possessions, Hye-mi develops sympathy towards Jin-a as the same age girl. That night Hye-mi lies on bed and taps Jin-a's room and eavesdrops on Jin-a and her guest.
Meanwhile a publisher having seen Hyun-woo's photos of Jin-a comes to him and deceivingly gets the film at a low price. After seeing Jin-a's nude on the magazine, Jin-a's former pimp who's been exploiting her money comes to her again for money, supposing that she's been paid a lot for that and beats Jin-a when she denies it. Hye-mi tries to protect her from him and he leaves them saying he'll come again for the money. That night Jin-a makes an attempt to kill herself by cutting her arm and is found by Hye-mi who has had a nightmare about Jin-a.
Jin-a and Hye-mi sit together leaning towards each other and reconcile. That night, a guest comes into the inn and Hye-mi spends the night with him instead of sick Jin-a and loses her virginity.
Cast
- Ji-eun as Jin-a
- Hae-eun Lee as Hye-mi
- Jae-mo Ahn as Hyun-woo
- Hyeong-gi Jeong as Gecko
- Min-seok Son as Jin-ho