'spring, Summer, Fall, Winter' and Spring is an exquisitely simple movie. The film's lyrical plainness is the sign of a profound and sophisticated artistic sensibility. Kim Ki-duk manages to isolate something essential about human nature and at the same time, even more astonishingly, to comprehend the scope of human experience.' -The New York Times

This ninth film from Kim Ki-duk is almost a complete about-face in tone from his earlier, violence-infused work. Structured as five chapters, as alluded to by the title, the film focuses on the journey a young buddhist monk takes on the path to enlightenment. Beginning with the monk as a young boy under the tutelage of an old master, we trace his progression through episodes of learning, romance, violence and redemption. Set against the dreamlike background of a monastery floating on an enormous, man-made pond within a lush forest, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter' and Spring is a sumptuous meditation on the cycle of life.

Winner of the Audience Award at San Sebastián Film Festival and four awards at Locarno Film Festival.

D/S Kim Ki-duk P Lee Seung-jae, Karl Baumgartner WS Bavaria Film L Korean w/English subtitles TD 35mm/Col/2003/101mins

Kim Ki-duk was born in South Korea in 1960. Films include: Crocodile (MIFF 2002), The Isle (MIFF 2001), Address Unknown (MIFF 2002), Samaritan Girl (MIFF 2004).