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"If you are willing to survive, you will die. But if you're willing to die, you will survive." As captured in this Korean saying spoken by Admiral Yi in the 16th century, life and death may not be destined to be a matter of personal will. MOON captures this irony in a whimsical tone in the film "Finis Operis". The viewers are able to take a peek into an old man's day as he busily prepares for his death with firm determination. Tools needed to aid his suicide, which he ordered for himself, are delivered to his house. He scrutinizes each item before jumping into the tub for his very last bath. His master plan is to hang himself in the living room. The old man meticulously plans out each step in his head.

 

 

Does he succeed? Unfortunately, at the pinnacle of his suicide attempt, he comes face-to-face with a basic human desire - the uncontrollable libido. His penis pops out through the zippers of his dress pants, and he is struck with utter surprise. And at that very moment, the well-fastened hook in the ceiling dismantles and he is given a new life.

 

 

The scene could have been a tragic moment leading to the only character's death. But his failed attempt at ending his life triggers laughter instead. This laugh is probably closer to a bitter smirk at the irony of life than a burst of hysterical laughter. The humor created solely by the irony of the situation, and no words, almost resembles the humor code common in characters of Aki KAURISMAKI’s films.

 

 

MOON does not reveal why the old man wishes to end his life. But when looking at the way he carefully prepares and executes his plan to die, one could hope that the old man may overcome whatever agony in life if he were to pour the same level of effort into life itself. "Finis Operis" may be short, but it has enough power to allow the viewers to look life in retrospect. Another interesting point about this movie is that it was filmed in a small indoor space with minimal shooting. Canon DSLR 7D, a camera that is commonly chosen to shoot movies more recently was used to film the piece.

 

 

Korean Films at Cannes Film Festival