Gidam (2007 Film)
Gidam, known internationally as The Epitaph, is a 2007 South Korean horror film directed by Jung Bum-sik and Jung Sik. Set in 1941 during the Japanese colonial period, the film is noted for its atmospheric depiction of Kyongseong (modern-day Seoul) and its psychological approach to the horror genre.
Plot
The narrative is framed by a 1979 sequence in which an elderly Dr. Park reviews an old photo album from his time as a young doctor at the Ansang Hospital in 1941. The film weaves together three interconnected stories of supernatural occurrences and psychological trauma within the hospital, exploring themes of grief, forbidden love, and the haunting nature of the past.
Production
To evoke the specific historical setting of the 1940s, the directors employed several stylistic techniques. These included the use of 16mm film, vintage camera equipment from the era, and the intentional addition of scratches and dust to the film surface to create a period-authentic aesthetic.
Cast
- Kim Bo-Kyeong as Kim In-Yeong
- Jin Goo as Park Jeong-Nam
- Lee Dong-Kyu as Lee Su-In
- Kim Tae-Woo as Kim Dong-Won
- Ko Ju-Yeon as Asako
- Park Ji-A as Mother
- David McInnis as Father
- Kim Joo-Hyun as Aoi
Awards
The film received recognition at several domestic award ceremonies, including the Best New Director award at the 2007 Critics Choice Awards and the Best New Actor award for Jin Goo at the 2008 Golden Cinematography Awards.