Your dreams are my nightmare…

Ran is pained by a past love.

She sleepwalks, acting out Jean’s dreams. 

These dreams from a man unable to forget his ex-love throws Ran into a nightmare as she is forced to go to her ex-boyfriend whom she never wanted to meet again.  

I go to you…

Jean longs for his last love.

He seeks out the place in his dream which seems so real and there he meets Ran, surprised to discover that she is acting out his dreams.

Despite her appeals, he’s unable to control his dreams,

But for her…he makes one promise… 

The Dream Team:  LEE Na-young and ODAGIRI Joe

It has been two years since LEE Na-young appeared on the big screen in “Our Happy Time”.  Her performances in the TV drama “Do As You Please” and the movie “Our Happy Time” were wrought with emotion, and audiences again waited in anticipation for “Dream”. Her subtle gestures and expressions have captured audiences in the past, but the contrast and interplay created by appearing with co-star ODAGIRI Joe promises to be even more compelling. Indeed, ODAGIRI’s charismatic presence, acting talent and gift for writing has accorded him with a huge fan base.  In Korea alone, he has starred in the following releases: “Dream”, “Tenten” (2008); “Sad Vacation”, “Tokyo Tower:  Mom and Me…and Sometimes Dad”, “Bugmaster” (2007); “Pavilion Salamandre”, “Sway”, “Big River” (2006) – allowing him to visit Korea often and making him one of the most prolific actors domestically over the past few years. 

Clearly the coupling of ODAGIRI and LEE for this movie has created a palpable buzz in their respective countries due not only for their prominence as actors, but because of their status as style icons. Indeed “Dream” emphasizes each actor’s natural appeal and charm rather than focusing strictly on physical characteristics and close-ups.  As well, wardrobe selection was used to highlight each actor’s fashion sense and emphasize their respective characters’ image.

Dream vs Reality – Beautiful dream-like visuals hard to imagine!

Beautiful cinematography coupled with the movie’s use of Asian imagery adds to the air of mystery audiences will experience, with many scenes being shot in a traditional folk village, reed beds and Buddhist temples. The imagery is supplemented by the each character’s profession – Ran a traditional dressmaker and Jin a carpenter specializing in temple architecture.  As well, their abodes, which were shot on location in the homes of people actually employed those vocations bring both illusory and real elements to the cinematography.

KIM Ki-duk has always shown keen interest highlighting traditional Korean arts in his movies (“Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring”, “Empty Houses”, “Time” etc.) and  “Dream” continues this vein of expression in a way only KIM can achieve.  

The Participation of Veteran Actress JANG Mi-hee

Publicity for “Dream” not only featured the two stars, but also included veteran star actress JANG Mi-hee who has been seen to reach another climax in her career after appearing in many TV commercials and dramas.  JANG Mi-hee appears in a key role as the doctor who diagnoses the connection between the two main characters – and serves to guide parts of the storyline in the movie. 

At a press conference for a TV production, JANG was quoted as saying she “...would like to work with a director such as KIM Ki-duk.  His works are more dramatic than most, and I would like to play a part which require much intensity.”  JANG is considered one of the most important actresses in Korean cinema, appearing in such movie as “The Deep Blue Night” and “Hwang Jin-yi”, and “Dream” is her first turn in a feature film in five years. 

The most beautiful and sad love story shown through poetic visuals

“This is a wonderful and special storytelling on romance, dreams and their linkage of man and woman where even the film’s first image continues to linger after the movie is finished.  An extremely beautiful, sad love story, our dream is to introduce this film to everyone.“

- San Sebastian Film Festival Official Selection Committee   

“Dream” gets its title not only from the device used in the film to connect the two main characters’ sad fate, but also to highlight the dreamlike atmosphere created through the process of interpretation by the audience itself.

It is through an accident caused by a dream, as it were, which brings each character into the other’s existence.  She sleepwalks and acts out his dreams during her soporific wanderings, and both come to discover that not only does this strange phenomenon link their suffering, but it also binds their fate. 

The movie’s imagery, suffused with beautiful scenery and dreams, provides direct contrast with the storytelling which relates the reality of pain and suffering caused by love.