The Handmaiden Film Analysis

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Probably one of the most expected films of the year, not only for lovers of Asian cinema, but of cinema, in general. "The Handmaiden" proves that Park Chan-wook is one of the top filmmakers of the era, and that the knowledge he acquired from his time in Hollywood (Stoker) can be wonderfully implemented in Asian aesthetics. The film is already an international success, since it has sold out in 175 countries, beating out the previous sales record of Bong Joon-ho 's English-language sci-fi feature Snowpiercer, to become the best-selling Korean film of all time.
The script is based on the novel "Fingersmith" by Sarah Waters and takes place in Korea of the 1930s, with the country under Japanese rule. Con man "Count" Fujiwara has managed to managed to insert himself into the very secluded circle of Kouzuki, an eccentric hedonist who has become the man in charge in charge of a very large estate, and plans to marry his niece, Lady Hideko, the actual heiress of the family 's vast fortune. Fujiwara devices an intricate plan to "steal" Lady Hideko for himself and asks the help of a ragtag girl, Sook-hee, a petty criminal who lives with her aunt 's family, all of whom are of the same "profession." The plan is for the girl to become Lady Hideko 's handmaiden, and to help Fujiwara seduce her. However, things do not go as planned, since an attraction is formed between the two girls, as the many plot twists result in a much-unexpected story.
Park stayed close to the structure of the book,