Old Partner

Old Partner is a 2008 South Korean documentary directed by Lee Chung-Ryul. It features a cast that includes Choi Won-gyun, Lee Sam-sun, Kim Min-ja, Choi So-du, Choi Jong-man. The film may not feature conventional blockbuster Hollywood names, but it brims with pure, unfiltered human emotions, and explores themes of aging, loyalty, love, and the changing face of rural life in Korea.

The film centers around an old farmer, Choi Won-gyun, his devoted wife, Lee Sam-sun, and their faithful old ox. This remarkable documentary presents a slice of life, chronicling the everyday routines, trials, and tribulations of this elderly couple and their relationship with their ox in the backdrop of a rapidly modernizing South Korea.

The core relationship in the documentary is the touching and profound bond between Choi Won-gyun and his ox. Through a careful observation of their daily life, the film demonstrates how Won-gyun and the ox have stood loyally by each other's side for over 40 years. They have weathered harsh seasons, changes in the local agricultural scene, and the challenges of aging together.

The ox is presented not just as a beast of burden but an irreplaceable part of Won-gyun's life. They have shared years of hard work in the fields, long walks across varying landscapes, and countless quiet moments. Equally compelling is the interaction between the ageing couple. Their bickering, shared tasks and mutual reliance paint a detailed and poignant picture of their life.

Old Partner offers an empathetic portrayal of Lee Sam-sun as well. As a dedicated wife and housewife, her day is filled with chores that range from cooking, laundry, and cleaning, to gathering wood and farming. Despite the arduous lifestyle, her spirit remains unbroken, and her strength is truly admirable.

Yet, amid the simplicity of the depiction, the film subtly reflects on the encroachment of modernity into traditional rural lifestyles. Old Partner is saturated with contrasts, showcasing the juxtaposition of old and new, tradition and modernity, and man and animal amidst an evolving society. The audience is given glimpses of change - new roads, forests giving way to buildings, and youngsters leaving for city jobs. This sets the stage for a subtle commentary on the disappearing rural life and age-old traditions in the face of inevitable change.

Different than most films, Old Partner does not employ ostentatious special effects or high-drama narrative twists. Instead, it relies on the authentic, occasionally funny, often touching, moments that unfold naturally within the lives of its subjects. The film lingers on the manual labor of farming, the tender care given to the ox, the companionship between the couple, and their interactions with their neighbors. In this way, the film weaves a tapestry of a lifestyle that is rarely spotlighted in mainstream cinema.

Equally important to mention is the film's aesthetic - the cinematography is breathtaking. The barren yet beautiful landscapes of rural South Korea are captured in their full glory, with sweeping panorama shots and the crisp clarity of the daily rural routine. The seamless blend of sounds - rural ambiance, dialogue, and sparingly used music - contribute to create an audio-visual atmosphere that is enchantingly immersive.

The documentary, through its uncomplicated narrative arc, causes the viewer to meditate on universal themes like the passage of time, companionship, mortality, and the resilience of the human spirit. This unpretentious and charming film showcases real people, real relationships, real struggles, and the real cycle of life and loss.

To sum up, Old Partner is a gem of a documentary that seamlessly blends the personal with the universal and the traditional with the modern. It's a sensitively crafted and beautifully filmed example of cinema that tells a story as multifaceted and touching as life itself. It offers audiences an intimate, poignant look at the deep bond between man, beast and nature, and the incredible resilience and courage found in everyday life. It is indeed a must-watch for those who appreciate cinema that tells human stories with honesty, warmth, and dignity.