Chihwaseon

This South Korean film is one of the few authentic artist biopics ever created for the screen. It doesn't crudely guess at the source of the late 19th century painter Jang Seung-up's genius. It simply exhibits it.

It is quietly observant, with a detached eye for the telling moment, and the visual compositions are often exquisite.

The problem is, painting isn't a spectator sport, as the interminable scenes of Jang at work continually confirm.

Im Kwon-taek's narrative approach focuses on detail, regarding both the actual story and the overall visuals, with Jeon Il-seong's cinematography matching the actual paintings of Seung-up in beauty, without neglecting realism