Spinning the Tales of Cruelty Towards Women
Director : Lee Du-yong
Starring : Won Mi-kyeong, Shin Il-ryong, Choi Seong-ho, Moon Jeong-suk
Location Sites : Seongyojang Residence, Gangneung, Gangwon Province
Film Information
 Director Lee Du-Yong's 1983 production <Spinning the Tales of Cruelty Towards Women>(Yeoinjanhoksa mulreya mulreya) represents the trend of historical dramas. '80s pop culture drew the public's attention through exaggerated branding of sex combined with the spectacle of historical dramas. However, <Spinning the Tales of Cruelty Towards Women> follows the flow of 'literary movies' of the '70s together with the 'traditional discourse' of the '80s. A first for a Korean movie, <Spinning the Tales of Cruelty Towards Women> was presented at the Festival de Cannes in the category of "Un Certain Regard," confirming the time-honored Korean belief that "What is Korean is surely the most universal."
<Spinning the Tales of Cruelty Towards Women> put great focus on historical evidence to the extent that it can be called a 'textbook of folk studies' - this is yet another characteristic of historical dramas in the '80s. The inaccuracy of historical evidence was often the subject of criticism among intellectuals. Historical dramas in the '80s, represented by <Spinning the Tales of Cruelty Towards Women> and <Eoh Wu-dong>(Eoh Wudong), utilize historical evidence as a means of marketing or an element to draw greater audiences. The tenacity for historical evidence earned recognition abroad including the Festival de Cannes. In that sense <Spinning the Tales of Cruelty Towards Women> can be said to be the most classical and most successful historical drama in the 1980s.
At the 22nd Daejong Film Festival, this film swept six categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Lighting, Sound Recording and Editing.
Synopsis
Although a daughter of a respectable family, poverty forces Gillye marry the dead son of a powerful government official named Kim. Living as a young widow, Gillye is raped by Hansaeng. When this is discovered, she is able to escape with the aid of her father-in-law. Gillye meets Yunbo, the boy servant of government official Chae and becomes a maid. Later, Yunbo learns that his family has been restored and returns home with Gillye. She becomes the daughter-in-law of the Yun family. As the couple continues to be childless, Yunbo takes in a concubine only to learn it is he that has problems. He then forces Gillye to become a surrogate mother. Gillye gives birth to a son but later commits suicide.
Location of Shooting
 As shown in its title, <Spinning the Tales of Cruelty Towards Women>(Yeoinjanhoksa mulreya mulreya) deals with the cruelty towards women during the Joseon Dynasty. The main plot focuses on the life of Gillye who marries into yangban (nobility) from poverty, becomes a virgin widow, a maid servant, a daughter-in-law to another yangban household and then ends her life by forced suicide. The movie focuses on the patriarchal system in the feudal era. The exhausting, inhumane suffering of Gillye as a daughter-in-law to a yangban household is depicted in detail.
The majority of the movie was shot at the Seongyojang, a majestic roof-tiled house, which is a symbol of the patriarchal system oppressing women such as Gillye. In this somber traditional house, symbolizing hallowed tradition, Gillye is familiarized with the conduct expected of a daughter-in-law of a yangban household. Distressed with the household labor, she also endures a surrogate pregnancy to continue the family line. Gillye's suicide on the terrace stones of the house is a curse and plea against the patriarchal system.
General Information
Seongyojang is located in Unjeong-dong, Gangneung. It is a roof-tiled house with 99 rooms, designated as National Treasure No. 5. In the past, the waters of Gyeongpo Lake reached the front of the house, thus making it accessible only by boat. The owner of Seongyojang is the descendant of Prince Hyoryeong of the Joseon Dynasty. Most of the remaining structures were built by Lee Geunwu, the great grandson of Oeungeosa. Some of the important structures are Yeolhwadang, where the male owner resides, Dongbyeoldang, Seobyeoldang and Hwallaejeong, which is built on the pond. Seongyojang is considered to be a classic representative of traditional Korean architecture. In particular, the breathtaking garden is also called the 'Garden of Four Seasons.' The house serves as a folk museum with each of its rooms displaying household goods, kitchen utensils and drawings from the Joseon Dynasty.
Directions
From downtown Gangneung, head towards Sokcho, past Ojukheon. Turn right towards Gyeongpo at the highway interchange.
Nearby Attractions
The recommended course for sightseeing around the Gangneung area is after a visit to Seongyojang, take a look at nearby Ojukheon and Gyeongpodae, then stop by the Chamsori Gramophone Edison Museum, ending at the new Unification Park in Jeongdongjin.
|
|
|
