The Priests (film) explained

The Priests
Director:Jang Jae-hyun
Producer:Baek Ji-sun
Song Dae-chan
Oh Hyo-jin
Lee Yoo-jin
Starring:Kim Yoon-seok
Gang Dong-won
Cinematography:Go Nak-sun
Editing:Shin Min-kyung
Distributor:CJ Entertainment
Studio:Zip Cinema
Country:South Korea
Language:Korean
Runtime:108 minutes
Native Name:
Hanja:검은 들
Rr:Geomeun sajaedeul
Mr:Kŏmŭn sache*ltŭl
Gross:[1] [2]

The Priests (; lit. "Black Priests") is a 2015 South Korean supernatural mystery thriller film written and directed by Jang Jae-hyun, based on his award-winning short film 12th Assistant Deacon.[3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

Plot

A young girl who belongs to Father Kim's parish becomes comatose after a hit-and-run accident caused by two priests. Father Kim suspects she is possessed by an evil spirit. Father Kim along with a rebellious young seminarian named Choi try to exorcise the demon and confine it in a piglet. Members of a Rosicrucian sect inform Father Kim that two of their priests were killed by this demon. During the exorcism, the demon manifests, inflicting unnatural bodily rashes. Choi initially runs out halfway through the exorcism attempt, but eventually decides to return, determined to finish what they started. Father Kim tells him to believe this ministry isn't in vain and the reward is in the Lord's hand (Isaiah 49:4). Choi replies by quoting Ezekiel 2:6, and affirms he is prepared now. When they try to free the girl from the demon's powerful hold, they realize that the demon they are facing is an ancient one named Malphas and is far more dangerous than they ever thought. However, they manage to confine it in the piglet, but the police arrive and try to arrest them for killing Young-shin, acting on a complaint by her extremely traumatized parents. Choi runs out with the pig, faces many obstructions but successfully drowns it in the river as instructed by Kim (Luke 8:33). Young-shin who was considered dead shows signs of life, and Father Kim's and Brother Choi's rashes disappear.

Cast

Reception

The film was number-one on its opening weekend, with ₩13 billion.[11] By its third weekend, the film had grossed at the South Korean box office.[12]

Awards and nominations

AwardCategoryRecipientResult
25th Buil Film AwardsBest Supporting ActressPark So-dam
Best New Actress
16th Women in Film Korea Awards
7th KOFRA Film Awards
11th Max Movie Awards
21st Chunsa Film Art Awards
52nd Baeksang Arts AwardsBest New Actress
10th Asian Film AwardsBest Supporting Actress
3rd Korean Film Producers Association AwardsBest Supporting Actress
37th Blue Dragon Film Awards
Best New DirectorJang Jae-hyun
Best EditingSin Min-kyeong
Best MusicKim Tae-seong
Technical AwardsBaek Sang-hoon-I (Visual effects)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Korea Box Office: 'Inside Men' Holds Off Newcomers For Third Week. Sonia Kil. December 6, 2015. December 7, 2015. variety.com.
  2. Web site: The Priests (2015) . 2017-02-19 . 2017-02-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170212121347/http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/films/index/filmsView.jsp?movieCd=20145503 . dead .
  3. Web site: Kim. June. Rendezvous for KIM Yun-seok and GANG Dong-won. Korean Film Biz Zone. 9 November 2015. 9 December 2015.
  4. Web site: Conran. Pierce. BLACK PRIESTS Goes Into Production. Korean Film Biz Zone. 9 November 2015. 10 March 2015.
  5. Web site: Kil. Sonia. THE PRIESTS Wraps Up in Paju. Korean Film Biz Zone. 9 November 2015. 15 June 2015.
  6. Web site: Ahn. Sung-mi. Kang Dong-won and Kim Yun-seok become priests. K-pop Herald. 9 November 2015. 5 October 2015.
  7. Web site: Lim. Jeong-yeo. Kang Dong-won's The Priests releases to heated response. K-pop Herald. 9 November 2015. 6 November 2015.
  8. Web site: The Priests collars top box office success. The Korea Times. 9 November 2015. 8 November 2015.
  9. Web site: Korean fans choose 'The Priests' over James Bond. koreajoongangdaily.joins.com.
  10. Web site: '동주' 박정민 '검은 사제들' 박소담, 백상 신인연기상. 3 June 2016.
  11. Web site: The Priests possesses South Korean cinemas. Kevin Ma. November 10, 2015. November 11, 2015. Film Business Asia.
  12. Web site: Inside Men wins South Korea box office. Kevin Ma. November 23, 2015. November 24, 2015. Film Business Asia.