San Diego Asian Film Festival 2008

Set during the Chosun Dynasty, SHADOWS IN THE PALACE begins with the death of a maid-in-waiting, who has hung herself within the palace walls. While performing the autopsy, imperial medic Chun-ryung (Park Jin-hee) begins to suspect murder and starts her own investigation into the matter. Standing in her way are the barren queen and the royal concubine who has mothered a child for the previously heir-less king, among others. As she begins to unravel the vast array of deceptions, Chun-ryung is soon confronted by a secret more powerful than she could have ever imagined.

SHADOWS IN THE PALACE is the first feature film directed by Kim Mee-jung, a young woman who served as assistant director on the 2005 Korean blockbuster film KING AND THE CLOWN. This thrilling and surprising film is a visual feast, from the authentic costumes to the spectacular cinematography and sets. Notable for its all-female crew, the director has succeeded in creating a masterfully genre-bending film that combines elements of the historical costume drama, murder mystery, and even Asian horror genres with a deft touch. Not just a beautiful and wildly entertaining movie, SHADOWS IN THE PALACE is truly a remarkable film that boldly crosses lines.

Review of SHADOWS IN THE PALACE (KoreanFilm.org)