Perhaps one of the few true benefits the Oscars has for cinephiles is it often brings attention to great filmmakers whose sometimes superior works aren't often known about. When Guillermo Del Toro won for The Shape of Water, it allowed people to discover some of his earlier classics. When Bong Joon Ho won earlier this year for Parasite, it brought the international director more mainstream attention as well. And now, to honor his legendary win at the Oscars (The first non-English film to win Best Picture), Criterion Collection is releasing a beautiful collector's edition of Joon Ho's first widely recognized 2003 film Memories of Murder which is often regarded as one of the greatest films of all time.
Focusing on the true story of the hunt for a sadistic serial rapist and murderer terrorizing a small province in 1980's South Korea, the narrative saw three increasingly desperate detectives attempt to decipher the violent mind of a killer in a futile effort to solve the case. Last year, in real-life, the case that inspired the film actually was finally closed, the real culprit identified (Remaining unknown at the time of the film's release).
Now, for those curious about seeing this film for the first (Or millionth) time, the film is getting a remastered re-release in cinemas on October 19th and 20th which will precede the Criterion release. The screenings will also include additional content such as a Q&A session between director Edgar Wright and Joon Ho himself. Today, a trailer has been released by NEON (Who is distributing the remaster). Check it out below: