Rent Burning (2018)

3.5 of 5 from 572 ratings
2h 22min
Rent Burning (aka Beoning) Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
  • General info
  • Available formats
Synopsis:
Based on a short story by Haruki Murakami, this critically acclaimed South Korean film tells the story of Jongsu (Ah-in Yoo), a part-time worker who bumps into old neighbour Haemi (Jong-seo Jun). She asks him to look after her cat while she's on a trip to Kenya, but when she returns, Haemi introduces Ben (Steven Yeun) to Jongsu. One day, Ben visits Jongsu with Haemi and confesses his own secret hobby.
Actors:
, , , Soo-Kyung Kim, Seung-ho Choi, , , , Hye-ra Ban, , , Wonhyeong Jang, Seok-Chan Jeon, Joong-ok Lee, ,
Directors:
Producers:
Chang-dong Lee, Joon-dong Lee, Gwang-hee Ok
Writers:
Jungmi Oh, Chang-dong Lee, Haruki Murakami
Aka:
Beoning
Studio:
Thunderbird Releasing
Genres:
Drama, Thrillers
Collections:
New waves of Korean Cinema, What to watch by country
Countries:
Korea
BBFC:
Release Date:
27/05/2019
Run Time:
142 minutes
Languages:
Korean Audio Description, Korean Dolby Digital 2.0, Korean DTS 5.1
Subtitles:
English, English Hard of Hearing
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 2.35:1
Colour:
Colour
Bonus:
  • Interviews with Lee Chang-dong, Seh Hyun Rho, and Simon War at the London Film Festival 2018
BBFC:
Release Date:
27/05/2019
Run Time:
148 minutes
Languages:
Korean DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Korean LPCM Stereo
Subtitles:
English, English Hard of Hearing
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 2.35:1
Colour:
Colour
BLU-RAY Regions:
B
Bonus:
  • Interviews with Lee Chang-dong, Seh Hyun Rho, and Simon War at the London Film Festival 2018

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Reviews (11) of Burning

An atmospheric drama full of question marks - Burning review by Philip in Paradiso

Spoiler Alert
22/07/2019

This is an interesting -- captivating, even -- film, but it is also a weird movie in more ways than one. I wouldn't describe it as a thriller because it doesn't fit into that genre as such, although there is a mystery at the heart of the plot. The film is quite slow and too long, and yet it is fascinating, because there are so many ways that you can interpret the opaque story.

The central character who lives on his father's farm is, somehow, a bit gormless. But it's possible to identify with him and his sense of bewilderment at what goes on around him. On the other hand, there is something frustrating about the story because some obvious questions that ought to be asked are not touched upon, hence we are not provided with answers (which is deliberate on the part of the director, of course). What I mean is that it is rather implausible that any of those key questions wouldn't have been asked and the person or persons involved wouldn't have been put on the spot as part of that questioning, in any real-life situation approaching that described in the film. (I cannot say any more, to avoid spoiling it.)

Then again, the film is totally unconventional and does not pretend to be realistic as such. It is an atmospheric and oniric sentimental drama inching its way slowly towards some kind of thriller, South Korean style.

4 out of 4 members found this review helpful.

fascinating mystery thriller - Burning review by tezza

Spoiler Alert
11/06/2019

beautifully shot wonderfully acted, starts as a meditation on class and opportunity and relationships then becomes a sinister thriller halfway through

3 out of 3 members found this review helpful.

Intriguing but unsatisfying - Burning review by Alphaville

Spoiler Alert
26/11/2019

What’s it about? If you can figure that out, well done. It begins as boy-meets-girl, becomes a sort-of love triangle then eventually introduces the element that gives the film its title (but don’t expect any combustible drama). It’s intriguing to begin with and even looks promising, with realistic sex scenes that you rarely see in South Korean cinema. But it doesn’t go anywhere interesting at all. It’s based on the director’s short story, is full of tell-don’t-show and can’t possibly sustain its 140-minute run time. It has been vastly overrated for its opaqueness, causing some critics to say it must be seen twice, but once (if that) will be more than enough for most viewers.

2 out of 4 members found this review helpful.

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