2003 - MEMORIES OF MURDER, good police procedural film.

Based on an actual case about the investigation of South Korea's first serial murder.  This is an extremely well made film.  In a small town in a rural part of South Korea the bodies of two women are found.  The police force in this area begin an investigation but it becomes clear that their lack of experience in this type of crime is way over their heads.  Arriving from Seoul to lend some expertise is a police inspector who begins to piece together the crimes.  This is the jumping off point for a film that looks at the emotional toll the investigation takes and at the same time manages to be a very involving thriller about a police investigation.

One of South Korea's best directors Bong Joon-Ho in only his second film directs with a very assured style.  Joon-Ho would go on to direct Parasite and The Host among other films he's been a filmmaker to watch.

 

The film has fine performances from the cast and the photography and editing is at a very high level.  The film has some sick humor and captures the lives of some police detectives who are barely going through the motions at their job.

Overall a very impressive sophomore film.  Usually new directors fall on their faces with their second film.  Not in this case.

Written by Bong Joon-ho and Shim Sung-bo the running time is 131 minutes.