THE WITCH: PART 1. THE SUBVERSION IS SO WICKED

There has been only a few films that has had me excited and created this happy anxiety in my mind that I about to watch something that I have not seen before when I sit in my seat in the theatre.  Sion Sono’s Cold Fish, Mike Flanagan’s Absentia and Heath Ledger’s version of The Joker in The Dark Knight where the films that had me antsy.   The Witch: Part 1.  The Subversion was the answer from several of the volunteer staff of Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal when I asked which film was making a buzz.    Seeing the long line-up alongside Concordia University along with the amount of people who cheered for both director Hoon-jung Park and lead actress Da-mi Kim during the introduction to the film inside the theatre made me realize that we were definitely in for something special.  That antsy feeling came back.

Da-mi Kim plays Ja-yoon who is seen escaping from a brutal incident in a research facility during the beginning of the film when she is a little child.  We then see her dark capturers talk about her running away from them and that their hope of finding her is all but next to nothing.   Ja-yoon does ends up in the hands of a couple who run a farm.  We then see her all grown up after a decade helping out her parents who are coming down to their last penny and her mother who is experiencing dementia.  After her good friend persuades her to enter a singing contest that is worth enough money to cover for her parents for a long while, those dark gangsters return to the film and notice her on television which starts their pursuit of her.

Without going into much further detail and spoiling the film, The Witch:  Part 1. The Subversion is not only a special film.  It is an experience.  Da-mi Kim won the prize for Best Actress in the Fantasia International Film Festival because it looks as if she does some real coming of age growing up in the film.  We see her go from this innocent tween girl to this professional violent hitwoman whom they call “The Witch”.  As she struggles with her past and not having a faint memory of what she has done to others, she is really pulling the wool over someone’s eyes that you would least expect her to. (and we are not going to tell you who that is)  Subsequently, director Hoon-jung Park is a master at really setting you up for a roller coaster of a ride when you watch this film.  The film is like Bambi meets Godzilla all in one.

During a weekend at the Fantasia International Film Festival where there were many discussions about hypnosis, amnesia, superpowers and telekenetics, The Witch: Part1. The Subversion wraps it all in one and makes it all inspiring rather than haunting.  No doubt that this film is very violent and gory but you embrace the heroine qualities of Ja-yoon and root for her in getting what she wants and needs alongside protecting her family.  The film is similar to Kill Bill but in reverse.  Rather than having Ja-yoon seeking revenge upon those who do her wrong, revenge seeks her.  Which is a dangerous formula in which why this movie is explosive.  Now that is an experience.

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