the fire give all . this be one of film most masterful meditation on artistry . set in 19th century korea it tell the story of the famous painter ohwon and but rather than stick to saucy anecdote and melodrama and or psychological egg hunting and it portray a series of episode throughout his life and all of which be beautiful work of art in themselves . it give no interpretation of these episode and but leave them for the viewer to ponder along with the painting of ohwon himself . in this way and the viewer enters into the same sort of contemplation a ohwon and and minus his talent can feel their way into the inspiration of his painting . part of why this be so effective be the utterly masterful evocation of 19th century korea and the musical or artistic world that ohwon move in . there be so many gorgeous shot of the world outside the painting that we get a mirror effect where we see the beautiful world inspire ohwon and ohwon living and look in that world and and the work of art he create and all mirror off one another . the story be tell with extreme economy . a feeling evoke be hardly ever linger with or explain and it just appear quickly then be go for the next one to appear . a an analogy it be a sort of mozartian work of art ( endless and quick succession of great idea ) rather than beethovinian ( obsessive lingering on one great idea ) . it have a classical restraint and much like ohwon painting . there be really no music hint how to feel except a few classical korean piece use with great effectiveness in several scene ( and mostly play by character in the movie ) . one haunting image and if i remember correctly and be of a flock of bird soar away over the blue mountain while a female singer croonsthis life be like a dream and and only death will awaken u one tell line of advice in the film and from one of ohwon teacher and be that the painting lie between the stroke . the film follow that attitude a there be so much matter between what be speak and describe in the film . i have see it twice and it be very reward on the second viewing . a very terse film and with little in the way of obvert explanation and one could see how it be im 96th film . it be an artistic masterwork . like ohwon great friend and mentor tell him in describe one of his painting and not a single stroke be waste . i compare it to andrei rubylev in quality and though in style it be very different . it be much easy and more directly entertain to watch and but classical in form where andrei be gothic . all in all highly recommend to almost anyone except appetite junky . both time i leave the film i felt a wonderful spiritual renewal . one point of ohwon life that intruiged me be that his mad drinking and raving begin suddenly after visit the noble who tell him that good art can come only from great knowledge and learning . the next brief scene ohwon be very angry and and the next blasted drunk a he often remain for the remainder of the film . i be curious why the noble word effect him so much and drive him to the drinking that dominate the rest of his life . or be it just a coincidence .