Reading log #3

Reading log #3

Title: Train to Busan

Text: Visual text

Director: Yeon Sang-ho

'Train to Busan' is a South Korean action thriller directed by Yeon Sang-ho, that follows a group of frantic passengers fighting for survival through a countrywide outbreak that turns people in zombies while trapped on a train on it's way to Busan. 

I was excited throughout this movie from start to finish. It had a great theme of 'Morality', and gets me thinking about what I would've done in a situation where zombie's are infecting New Zealand. All of the characters were terrified and desperate to survive, which in any situation like that everyone would instinctively want to live. Seok-woo , the main character told his daughter Su-an ' At a time like this , only watch out for yourself' but we see multiple scenes in the film where he risks his life to help other passengers on the train , even as desperate as he is to keep himself and his daughter alive.Because he knows the only way to survive is for people to look out for each other.  However , a business man name Yong-suk was the complete opposite of this. He risked the lives of so many people , and got so many people infected in his attempt to only look out for himself which I found frustrating , but again in a situation like that I understand the desperation. I think it showed peoples response to a panicked situation accurately.

This film is also focused on the relationship of Seok-Woo , an overworked worker has with his daughter, Su-an. He doesn't spend much time with her , and even got her a birthday present that he already bought for her on children's day. Su-an  had a recital where she was singing a song , but stopped halfway through, Seok-woo watched this on a video recording. Later , Su-an tells her father " I practised that song for you , that's why I couldn't sing , Because I didn't see you. " And asks him to stay with her , which show's them coming together in a difficult time. I think their relationship was an excellent choice to portray in the film as it made me attached to the characters more.

Overall , I really liked how this film touched on mortality and how it showed Seok-woo's love for his daughter. I think it show's characters accurately and had me anxious throughout the whole film. I would suggest this everyone.