Ballerina: A Cinematic Recital of Revenge
Ballerina, an action-packed film, takes a unique approach to the revenge genre by incorporating ballet elements into its narrative. The story kicks off with Okju, who appears to be on leave from a high-end security firm, thwarting a robbery with canned vegetables. However, her life takes a dark turn when her friend Min-hee, known as "Ballerina," commits suicide and leaves a note asking for vengeance. Director Lee Chung-hyun, known for his previous work on The Call, creates Ballerina, a cinematic masterpiece (at least to me) that serves as the platform for a revenge story. Determined to convey a sense of recital or performance art, Lee successfully emphasized factors such as cinematography, production design, and music, to the point where the title tracks directed by GRAY were titled after ballet terms such as "Adagio" or "Coda" aligning with the film's theme. A standout feature is the virtual spaces designed for the main characters—Okju, Min-hee, and Choi (the antagonist). The art director Kim Min-hye utilized symbolic elements to convey emotions, such as warmth in Okju's lonely house, fragility in Min hee's space decorated with a fish tank, and humility in Choi's house adorned with antique pieces and artworks. Ballerina addresses dark themes of assault, grooming, and human trafficking, highlighting a woman's fight for justice. The film relies on striking visuals and cinematography, using fluorescent lights and vibrant colors in flashback scenes to contrast the harshness of the overall story. Okju's character development and strength lead to a satisfying ending, with the villain meeting a painful demise at her hands.
