Synopsis
If you make a hasty conclusion that this movie will feature a genius boy director because of the title, it will be a huge misunderstanding. The leading character is a boy far from a genius director. With the 8mm camera, what his father left for him, he wants to take a picture of his father's painting on the wall of the public warehouse in Noeulgol, a mountainous village of Gangwondo. The painting is expected to be removed pretty soon, so he wants to keep the picture of his father's work. However, he has no idea of how to use the camera. The film shows the measures which Sang Gu has come up with to solve the problem. In the meantime, it follows and depicts his adventures in Seoul. Contrary to the anticipation, the film is seldom headed for exaggeration or sentimentalism. Even the film refuses to allow a happy ending which most of such movies tend to end with. Perhaps because of the poor production conditions, the plot is somewhat loose. Even, when more explanations are needed, dramatic omission appears. As a result, the dramatic persuasiveness is damaged in many parts. Nevertheless, such deficiency and absence do not have a fatal impact on the movie. On the contrary, a certain fantasy is added to the extremely realistic movie due to the features, and the pleasure in enjoying the movie becomes double. What an irony! What a surprising movie! The narrative is also laudable in that it avoids the conventional logic of dichotomy expressed as "Children are good, and grown-ups are evil." Although the film ends with a heart-wrenching unhappy ending, it gives a plenty of gentle impression only with its last sequence. Along with the outstanding acting by KIM Young Chan, who played the role of Sang Gu, the solid actings from the familiar supporting players including KIM Sang Ho, CHOI Yeo Jin and WOON Je Moon are another unexpected bonus. (JEON Chan Il)