Saiju Sreedharan / Blog

The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)

Synopsis

Academy Award(R)-nominated director/writer Peter Hedges (“Dan in Real Life,” What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?”) brings enchantment to the screen with “The Odd Life of Timothy Green,” an inspiring, magical story about a happily married couple, Cindy and Jim Green (Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton), who can’t wait to start a family but can only dream about what their child would be like. When young Timothy (CJ Adams) shows up on their doorstep one stormy night, Cindy and Jim—and their small town of Stanleyville—learn that sometimes the unexpected can bring some of life’s greatest gifts.

In theaters: August 15th, 2012

Punch (2011) 

Director: Lee Han, Writer: Kim Ryeo-Ryeong (novel), Kim Dong-Woo, Cinematographer: Jo Yong-Kyu

Audience Question : What made you decide to make the novel into a movie?

Lee Han : The novel is fun. While reading the novel I laughed and became touched. I couldn’t feel anything for a while after finishing the novel. About 30 minutes or an hour later I could understand little-by-little what the writer wanted to say. A long time ago, I used to live in an area like Won-Deuk’s neighborhood. The novel reminded me of the people from that time. This isn’t just a light novel, so I wanted to make the novel into a movie.

Audience Question : Tell us which scene you like most and some memorable episodes while shooting the film.

Lee Han : The scene that I like the most is the one of Won-Deuk eating bread, while sitting outside of his rooftop apartment and looking over his neighborhood. At first, I wanted that scene in the beginning of the movie, but other staff members stopped me from doing this, because they told me the movie would be gloomy. I think that scene shows everything about Won-Deuk. Memorable episodes …. it’s hard to say. Aha, I was surprised by Yoo Ah-In’s poor athletic abilities. He was good with running, throwing a ball, but not kicking. At first, I was really worried about this, but Yoo Ah-In worked very hard. His sleeping pattern used to be staying up until dawn and then sleeping through the afternoon. Yoo Ah-In completely changed that. He woke up early in the morning and received training. Later, a martial arts director told me that Yoo Ah-In was very determined. Later, I was surprised by Yoo Ah-In. He received training for about 2 or 3 months. I would like to say thanks to Yoo Ah-In. While he was training I was unable to go and see him. He got a little huffy over that.

Father, Why did you have me ?

What ?

Why do all these poor people have kids ? What’s the point ?

Don’t say that, mijo… Don’t say that…

You know, back in the village, I just did what any man would do. I found a novia, got married, and then i headed north. And that’s what I did, ‘cause I didn’t know any different.

So we came here.

And then, we had you.

Why ?

Because your mother and I loved each other very much.

But then, people change. And things were different here. Your mother changed. She wanted more than I could give her. So, she went away. And I was left alone with you.

I didn’t know how I was going to manage with a small boy, with no money and no regular job. I had a lot of anger inside me. But the thing… The one thing that helped me get over all that was you.

To be able to take care of you, and watch you grow. Because I love you. You are the most important thing in this world to me, mijo.

I… I wanted you to be able to be anything you wanted to be. That would make me feel worthy. If you became somebody.

That’s why I had you!

For me… For me… For a reason to live.

-A Better Life (Director: Chris Weitz)