Ten Oxherding Pictures #4: Catching the Ox-Two Chinese Quinces

director: Lee Ji-sang

original title: Ten Oxherding Pictures #4: Catching the Ox-Two Chinese Quinces

country: Republic of Korea (South Korea)

year: 2007

running time: 22 min.

synopsis

Zen meditation, inspired by a series of ten Buddhist poems, reflects on the fate of two quinces. In vivid detail and framed by a red and white poetic acronym, these two fruits of the same tree set out on two fascinatingly different journeys. Each quince becomes part of a contemplative still life, both at a different pace and in a different space. They transform into an abstract part of the pictorial composition and, impartially, with the silent snowfall and the murmurs of rain and thunder, presenting the cycle of death and birth and departure and return.

"This film seeks to answer the question of what enlightenment is and how to achieve it." Ji-sang Lee

biography

Ji-sang Lee (1956) studied theology. He shot his first short film, For My Dear Rosa, in 1993. His controversial feature debut Yellow Flower (1998) explores the boundaries of sexuality. The filmmaker focuses on meditative still lifes built on simple motifs. In his films, he reflects on his own philosophy and way of life.