Skip to main content
film review

White Night: This dark, evocative entry from ground-breaking Korean director LeeSong Heeil says a lot without saying much at all. The film revolves around brooding flight attendant Kang Won-gyu, who returns to Seoul for a night’s layover after years abroad (most recently in Germany) in search of the thugs who gay-bashed him and his friend. Once there, he hooks up with a motorcycle courier, Tae Jun Lee, for what at first seems like a brief sexual encounter, but ultimately becomes a protracted journey of self-discovery for Kang. Kang is clearly damaged goods: unable to express himself except through violence (and an angst-filled drag on a cigarette), he struggles with both the past and the sudden affection of Tae. In one moving scene, Kang finally relents to joining Tae on his motorcycle in a spin around town. As the courier speeds up he tells Kang "you’ll fall off, so hold me tight." But of course, he can’t.GLOBE AND MAIL

This darkly evocative entry from Korean director LeeSong Hee-il says a lot without saying much at all. The film revolves around brooding flight attendant Kang Won-gyu, who returns to Seoul for a night's layover after years abroad (most recently in Germany) in search of the thugs who gay-bashed him and his friend. Once there, he hooks up with a motorcycle courier, Tae Jun Lee, for what at first seems like a brief sexual encounter, but ultimately becomes a protracted journey of self-discovery. Kang is clearly damaged goods: unable to express himself except through violence (or an angst-filled drag on a cigarette), he struggles with both the past and the sudden affection of Tae. In one moving scene, Kang finally relents to joining Tae on a motorcycle spin about town. As the courier speeds up, he tells Kang "you'll fall off – so hold me tight." But, of course, he can't.

Sept. 27, 9:15 p.m. Pacific Cinematheque; Oct. 3, 12 p.m. Granville 5

Interact with The Globe