Breath (2009 film)

Breath is a 2009 South Korean drama film directed by Kim Ki-duk. The film explores themes of isolation, despair, and the unexpected connections that can form between individuals facing difficult circumstances.

The story centers on Yeon, a woman devastated by her husband's infidelity. Overwhelmed by sadness, she attempts suicide. Her attempt fails, but news reports about prisoners on death row provide her with a strange idea: to visit these men and offer them a fleeting moment of comfort and companionship.

Yeon begins visiting Jang Jin, a man convicted of murdering his wife and child. Initially, Jang Jin is withdrawn and resistant to Yeon's attempts to connect. However, Yeon persists, transforming the bleak prison visiting room into a space reminiscent of different seasons, decorating it with props and acting out scenes to bring a sense of normalcy, and even beauty, to Jang Jin's life.

As Yeon continues her visits, she and Jang Jin develop an unconventional and complex relationship. Their interactions provide them both with a temporary escape from their respective realities. Yeon finds solace in providing comfort to someone in need, while Jang Jin experiences a connection he thought he'd never have again.

The film's title, Breath, refers to the life that Yeon tries to breathe back into the existence of the condemned man, and perhaps also to the attempt to revive her own spirit. The film is characterized by Kim Ki-duk's signature minimalist style, with sparse dialogue and a strong emphasis on visual storytelling.