Thirst - Park Chan-wook interview

KOREAN director Park Chan-wook (whose films include Oldboy and Sympathy For Mr Vengeance) talks to us about his latest project Thirst, a vampire drama about a Catholic priest. He comments on the expensive casting process and why the film’s themes haven’t created any controversy in his homeland…

Q. Where did the idea of turning into a priest into a vampire first come from? 

Park Chan-wook: I think it came from my childhood. While making the film, I would often wonder: “Where did I get this subject from?” I was brought up as a Catholic and went to Mass every week, but there was one thing that always scared me during the Mass, which was when the priest drank the wine. The wine represents the blood of Christ. Similarly, when he ate the bread, he would say: “This is my flesh.” It reminded me of vampirism and cannibalism, so I think the idea of Thirst originated from those memories.

Q. I gather you had the idea many years ago, but you’ve now come out at a time when vampire movies seem to be everywhere. Was that fortuitous?

Park Chan-wook: Well, when I was planning JSA (Joint Security Area), there was huge tension between North and South Korea. So, I thought that if I made a film about a soldier from the North and a soldier from the South who become friends, I might go to prison. But I still had a drink with my producer one day and said: “Why don’t we go to jail together?” But when the film was actually released, all of a sudden for the first time ever in our history, we had a meeting between our president and North Korea’s representatives. It was amazing. All of a sudden, the media was describing North Korean people as our friends. So, when the film was released it enjoyed huge box office. Similarly, when I was planning Thirst people often asked me: “Why do want to revive such an old-fashioned subject for a film?” But now that it’s released, all over the world there are vampire films coming out and doing well. I guess I’m lucky.

Q. Have you had any religious backlash?

Park Chan-wook: For the UK poster, Metrodome had to make the dog collar darker! And I have some concerns about what might happen in Italy, or Spain, or France. In Korea, however, I didn’t have a problem because Korean Catholicism has a different atmosphere than in the West and in Europe. Korean Catholicism is at the front line to fight against military dictatorship, so we’ve always had a very open relationship and when I made the film I got a lot of support from priests and nuns.

Q. What was it like working with Song Kang-ho for the fourth time?

Park Chan-wook: As you’ve said, Song and I have worked together many times [on Sympathy For Mr Vengeance, Joint Security Area and Sympathy For Lady Vengeance] and we’re best friends. We like a drink together… especially during filming [laughs]. So we’re always looking for opportunities to work together. What I like about him is that his acting is always very minimal. He’s not too showy. There are no exaggerations. He’s a very honest performer.

Q. What about Kim Ok-vin made her perfect for the role?

Park Chan-wook: There’s a funny story behind her casting. When I first met her we shared some wine. I thought I’d ordered some cheap wine but it tasted really good, so we ordered another bottle. And then we paid the bill, I realised I’d made a mistake. I’d been expecting to pay something like £30 but it actually cost £300. So I thought I’d better cast her [laughs aloud]!

Q. It was a worthwhile expenditure. She’s great in the film… 

Park Chan-wook: When I first met her she was like an emotional roller-coaster and I thought that would fit perfectly with the character of Tae-ju that she plays in the film, and her emotional journey.

Q. I gather there are plans afoot already to remake Thirst for American audiences. What do you think when Hollywood attempts to remake so many of your films [Oldboy, Sympathy For Lady Vengeance are in the works]? Is it flattering, or is there a little sense of trepidation?

Park Chan-wook: I’m very curious to see the outcome for all the films, especially Oldboy as Steven Spielberg is working on it. I also wish that when the studios purchase the remake rights they could make them quicker, so I can see the outcome. I’m really interested in seeing how new actors in different environments will fare in the new versions of my films.

Q. Yet in spite of the fact that your films are ripe for remakes, there’s still a groundswell of excitement globally whenever another of your films is released, such as Thirst. Does that increase the pressure on you as a filmmaker on a world scale?

Park Chan-wook: Why pressure? If nobody wants to see my films, that might be more of a pressure.

Q. I gather your daughter is a huge fan of Twilight. So, has she seen Thirst and how does she think it compares with its different take on vampires? 

Park Chan-wook: She’s not old enough to see Thirst yet, but I want to show her if she wants to see it. I guess she feels she’s not ready to watch it yet. But perhaps one day soon.