By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.5 cats
Director: Yi Seung-jun
Original language title: Dalpaengee eui byeol
Country: finland, japan, south_korea
Year: 2012
Running time: 88
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2057455/
Bruce says: “PLANET OF SNAIL is a wonderful documentary about the triumphs and struggles of a married couple living in a small town in South Korea. She is hunchbacked and diminutive. He is a sculptor, a poet and playwright. He also happens to be deaf-blind. When the film opens Soon-ho is teaching her husband, Young-chan, how to fly a kite. He has a satisfied look upon his face once the kite is launched but what is going on in his head is hard to decipher. Soon-ho communicates with Young-chan using finger braille, a technique developed by a Japanese professor who also happened to be deaf-blind. The communicator uses three fingers from each hand and taps out the message on top of the two hands of the deaf-blind person. Young-chan has learned to speak so he can answer verbally.
“Living off of state subsidies, they socialize with many blind people. Young-chan has one friend who is also deaf-blind and their bond is firm. The group goes sledding in circular sleds linked together for safety. Much of the film focuses on quotidian affairs. For example a big event in the day of a deaf-blind person is overcoming the challenge of changing a large round fluorescent light bulb. Young-chan stands on the bed and feels his way through the process. It is surprisingly remarkable.
“Soon-ho and Young-chan are obviously very much in love. They met at a social gathering (presumably for the disabled) and romance quickly followed. She does much for him but he occasionally demonstrates his need for autonomy. ‘I should walk alone. If I don’t practice I will lose my senses,’ Young-chan tells her. She cooks and cleans as she stands on a footstool to reach appliances geared for those of average height.
“The film is simple. Director Seung-jun Yi does not explain more than necessary. He does, however, inspire. 4.5 cats
“(PLANET OF SNAIL screened as part of the 2012 Tribeca International film Festival.)”