The Isle (or Seom) is written and directed by Kim Ki-Duk who is renowned within Korean cinema.

He is part of the vanguard of progressive directors of international, independent cinema.

It stars, up and coming Korean actress Suh Jung and actor Kim Yoo-Suk.

Director’s quote “ In The Isle I wanted to depict extreme feelings that are hard to realize through image and actions, the extreme psychology of men, women and love.

The Isle is a place that we all desire, yet retreat from as soon as we become familiar with it.”

Set on and around a river in a South Korean fishing holiday retreat, the stunning picturesque natural surroundings and brightly coloured floating chalets totally belie the seedy nature of this fishing community.

The director takes us on a gentle tour of the area and characters before dragging us helplessly to one graphically intense scene to the next.

Our senses are assaulted regularly but this is interspersed with shots of the fantastically beautiful lush green hills, floating reeds and misty fog which seems to float on the river like a blanket.

The sight of all this natural beauty has a soothing and calming effect to counteract and balance out the character intensities.

Focusing on the groundkeeper of the retreat, Hee-Jin (Suh Jung) is seen as curious and reclusive who travels to each chalet by speedboat.

She is a proud woman who although offering herself as an extra “service” to customers she maintains a sense of fierce dignity and control.

We are then introduced to the second main lead, Hyun-Shik (Kim Yoo-Suk), an ex-cop.

He is seen as sensitive and creative but hiding a dark secret, which is slowly eating away at his conscience.

Bringing him to the depths of despair and suicide.

One such attempt brings him into contact with the ground keeper and the two embark on an ultimately self destructive path.