two editions, two worlds

Milo 2022-03-20 09:02:03

The first time I saw this play was at the Hong Kong International Film Festival in 2004. Poetry and painting landscape, concise narrative, heavy body, profound reflection. The edition I watched did not have "another spring", and the story ended with an adult monk carrying Guanyin up the mountain to atone for his sins and teaching young monks. It is thought-provoking and shows the possibility of change.

Later, due to fate, I found another set of DVDs in the mainland, which is an edition with "Another Spring". The ending is that the young monk commits the same crime that the adult monk once committed. It seems that the director thinks that people cannot escape their destiny, and some mistakes are unavoidable.

Personally, I prefer the edition without "Another Spring", but this cut with "Another Spring" should be more like Kim Ki-duk.

View more about Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring reviews

Extended Reading
  • Lionel 2021-12-24 08:01:28

    There is the concept of "reincarnation" in Buddhism. Does it also mean that the roots of human inferiority never change: killing, desire. The shots are beautiful, quiet and elegant like ink paintings.

  • Jerald 2022-03-25 09:01:11

    Zen enlightenment, definitely worth watching

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring quotes

  • Old Monk: Lust awakens the desire to possess. And that awakens the intent to murder.

  • Old Monk: Didn't you know beforehand how the world of men is? Sometimes we have to let go of the things we like. What you like, others will also like."