A film adaptation of Haruki Murakami's short story, Burning (2018) applies a subtle touch on the mystery genre against the backdrop of stunning landscapes and impeccable cinematography Spoilers ahead
One can easily say that Burning (2018) is about a love triangle between Jongsu (Yu a-in), Hae-mi (Jeon Jong-seo), and Ben (Steven Yeun) – but that would be a disservice to the film’s narrative complexities. Adapted from Haruki Murakami’s short story entitled “Barn Burning”, the film explores a rekindled friendship between Jongsu and Hae-mi who were once childhood neighbours in the rural town of Paju, South Korea. Returning from a sojourn to Africa, Hae-mi introduces Jongsu to her new friend, Ben.
Ben drives a Porsche, lives in a luxury apartment in the heart of Gangnam, and speaks eloquently – at one point, Jongsu remarks that he is just like The Great Gatsby – incredibly wealthy, suspicious yet endearingly enigmatic.
One afternoon, Hae-mi and Ben visit Jongsu at his Paju house. They all drink and smoke weed together as they observe the dimming sunlight. While Hae-mi dozes off, Ben reveals to Jongsu that he has a penchant for burning abandoned greenhouses and has a plan of burning one that is close by. The two bond over Ben’s fascinating hobby, but soon after, the sun disappears from the horizon and it is time for Ben and Hae-mi to leave.
The next morning, Jongsu locates all the abandoned greenhouses around the area, hoping to catch Ben in the act during his next burning. Days go by and no greenhouses burn down, Jongsu doesn’t hear back from Hae-mi or Ben. Driven by confusion, he drives to Gangnam to confront Hae-mi but finds that she’s left town; he never sees her again.
