Episode 279: The Greenhouses We Burned Along the Way (Lee Chang-dong's "Burning" Pt. 2)
Feb 27, 2024
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The hosts discuss the hunger dance at twilight, Ben's greenhouse burning habit, Shin Hae-mi's disappearance, Lee Jong-su's quest for the truth, and the final scene of the film 'Burning'
Burning greenhouses symbolize destructive relationships and disappearances in the characters' lives.
Insecurities, misunderstandings, and hidden intentions drive the complex dynamics between characters.
The podcast highlights the unresolved ambiguities and uncertainties that define the narrative, leaving the audience questioning reality.
Deep dives
Intimate Evening at Jung-su's Farm
Ben and Jaime visit Jung-su's farm, sharing food and smoking a joint. Jaime dances topless to Miles Davis music, leading to a mix of liberation and despair. The evening takes a dark turn when Jung-su reveals his deep feelings for Jaime, but Ben dismisses it with a laugh, highlighting Jung-su's insecurity and lack of real connection with Ben.
Burning Greenhouses and Metaphoric Conversations
In a revealing conversation, Jung-su shares his troubled childhood with Ben, who responds with indifference. Ben casually mentions burning down greenhouses and making things disappear as if they never existed, a metaphor for his destructive relationships with lower-class women. The conversation is punctuated with themes of disappearance and hidden intentions, unraveling Jung-su's inner turmoil.
Painful Misunderstanding with Jaime
An emotional misunderstanding occurs as Jung-su confronts Jaime for undressing easily in front of men, equating her actions with that of horrors. Hurt by Jung-su's accusation, Jaime leaves without a word, reflecting the complex dynamics of their relationship. This pivotal moment underscores Jung-su's insecurity, misplaced anger, and inability to truly understand Jaime's struggles and vulnerabilities.
The Mysterious Greenhouse Burning Plan
A man plans to burn down a greenhouse near him and keeps surveilling different greenhouses, hoping to find the burned one. He creates a map, focuses on one particular greenhouse, and almost sets it on fire. The narrative unfolds with uncertainties, with suggestions that the burning might not have occurred, leading to a surreal and unclear situation.
Ambiguities, Uncertainties, and Insightful Observations
The podcast discusses the ambiguity and uncertainties surrounding the main character's actions and the interactions with others. It delves into the multiple interpretations and conflicting details presented throughout the story, leaving the audience questioning the reality of events. The evolving relationships, mysterious disappearances, class differences, and the final dramatic confrontation at the greenhouse highlight the depth of character exploration and thematic complexity.
David and Tamler conclude their discussion of Lee Chang-dong’s "Burning" – we talk about the hunger dance at twilight, Ben’s greenhouse burning habit, Shin Hae-mi’s mysterious disappearance, Lee Jong-su’s clumsy and doomed quest to find out what really happened, and what to make of that final scene. Plus we choose the finalists for our Patreon listener selected episode.
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