Samaria (2004 Film)
Samaria, internationally known as Samaritan Girl, is a 2004 South Korean drama film written and directed by Kim Ki-duk. The film premiered in South Korea on March 5, 2004, and is noted for its exploration of complex moral themes, including sacrifice, guilt, and the search for redemption within a disillusioned youth culture.
Plot
The narrative follows two high school students, Yeo-jin (Kwak Ji-min) and Jae-young (Han Yeo-reum), who share a dream of traveling to Europe. To fund their trip, Jae-young begins engaging in prostitution. Yeo-jin acts as her manager and lookout during these encounters. Jae-young justifies her actions by identifying with the legendary Indian figure Vasumitra, who is said to have converted men to Buddhism through sexual intimacy.
The situation takes a tragic turn during a police raid when Jae-young jumps from a motel window to escape, sustaining fatal injuries. Before she dies in the hospital, she asks Yeo-jin to bring one of her favorite clients to see her. In a desperate attempt to fulfill her friend's final wish, Yeo-jin tracks the man down and agrees to have sex with him in exchange for his visit. Upon arriving at the hospital, they discover that Jae-young has already passed away. Following this, Yeo-jin begins to seek out Jae-young's former clients, leading to a confrontation with her father, Young-ki (Lee Eol), a detective who discovers his daughter's involvement in the cycle of prostitution.
Cast
The film features the following primary cast members:
- Lee Eol as Young-ki
- Kwak Ji-min as Yeo-jin
- Han Yeo-reum as Jae-young
Production
Samaria was written, directed, and produced by Kim Ki-duk. The cinematography was handled by Sun Sang-jae. The film has a runtime of 95 minutes and is categorized within the drama and arthouse genres.
