"No Regret" invites comparisons with "Brokeback Mountain" but this
Korean film scheduled for release in the U.S. on July 25th is by far
the better film. It is a love story about two gay men from different
class backgrounds fighting with each other and with social prejudices
to make a life for each other.
While Ang Lee's movie was generally hailed in the mainstream press
for its sympathetic treatment of the two main characters, many gays
probably concurred with Doug Ireland who wrote:
"There are many reasons to dislike Brokeback Mountain the complete
lack of chemistry between the male leads, the painful, groan-inducing
dialogue, the energyless pacing but all of this seems nitpicky in
comparison to an outdated, out-of-touch theme. Marketed as the first
(although it isn't, really) mainstream cross-over homosexual love
story, it seems strange that liberal urbanites would open their arms
to the story of two closeted dudes who can't deal with their
sexuality, are made miserable by the secret, and die unhappy and alone."
In contrast to the author of the short story that "Brokeback
Mountain" is based on as well as the director of the movie,
writer-director Leesong Hee-il is gay. That means that he likely felt
no obligation to satisfy audience expectations about the tragic fate
awaiting gay men. He also obviously had a surer touch with his male
characters' physical interaction, even though the two lead actors
were straight.
In a way, "No Regret" is an old-fashioned story of love conquering
all including class differences. Sumin, who has just arrived from an
orphanage in the countryside, takes a factory. Jaemin, the factory
owner's son, arranges to meet Sumin by hiring him as a driver, a
moonlighting job he has taken to make ends meet. When Jaemin tries to
lure Sumin into his apartment, Sumin turns his back on the handsome
and wealthy young man and refuses to even give him his name. As a
production line factory worker, he feels resentment toward the boss
and any of his kin.
A day or so later, Sumin, who is a contingent worker without union
protection, learns that he is about to be fired. But at the list
minute, he discovers that another worker has been fired instead. A
fellow factory-worker informs him that Jaemin has interceded on his
behalf. Showing that he is not interested in the rich man's
paternalism, he strides into his office, takes office his production
line smock and throws it in Jaemin's face. Here, he says, you can
wear it yourselfand then walks out of the factory.
With no skills and no job prospects, Sumin decides to take a job as a
male prostitute in a gay bar called XLarge. For young people coming
in from the countryside, the sex industry is one of the last resorts
for a well-paying job.
Eventually Jaemin discovers that Sumin is for sale and comes to the
bar to pay for what he can't get through normal contact. Sumin is
disgusted once again to learn that he is a commodity. Being purchased
for labor performed on the assembly line or in bed is not what this
poor but self-respecting young gay man will accept.
full: http://louisproyect.wordpress.com/2008/07/20/no-regret/
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