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To the Starry Island

1993Movie1 h 40 min

Drama
70
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb6.9

A profoundly sad, deeply moving fantasy movie about history and politics, with standout direction and performances.

Good for teens · thought-provoking · adults

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood · you want fast pacing · you want to half-watch while scrolling

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Not for laughs, warmth or comfort.

Movies with

Story

Two men have returned to their hometown (the titular island) from Seoul to bury the father of one of them, but the islanders vehemently refuse their request, triggering memories of their childhood before and during the Korean War.

Feels like

  • Poetic Historical Drama
  • Korean War Trauma
  • Melancholic Nostalgia
  • Visually Stunning Cinematography
  • Non-Linear Narrative
  • Social & Political Critique
  • Quietly Devastating
  • Masterpiece of Korean Cinema
  • Intergenerational Conflict
  • Slow-Burn Emotional Depth

Cast

8 of 8

Crew

Directed by
Park Kwang-su
Written by
Lee Chang-dong, Park Kwang-su, Chul-woo Im
Produced by
Park Kwang-su, Park Ki-yong
Music by
송흥섭

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

December 24, 1993 · 1 h 40 min · Violence, Disturbing Imagery, Suicide Themes

Released
December 24, 1993
Runtime
1 h 40 min
Content
Violence, Disturbing Imagery, Suicide Themes
Genres
Fantasy, Drama
Original language
Korean
Made in
South Korea

Q&A

4 questions, like "Is To the Starry Island worth watching?"

Questions about To the Starry Island

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Is To the Starry Island worth watching?

70
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 70 (IMDb 6.9).

Will I feel good after watching To the Starry Island?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 10 of 10 for melancholy and 8 for bleakness, against 3 for hopefulness.

Is To the Starry Island plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on pathos (9 of 10) and character depth (8 of 10) more than on its plot.

Is To the Starry Island in English?

Korean

No, it was made in Korean.