by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
How stacked is the Best International Feature every year at the Academy Awards? It is impossible for it not to be. This category pulls the best of the best from the WHOLE world. Every other category (for the most part) is focused on American cinema, but there are so many great creators around the world making great films. The rules make it even tougher when only one film per country can be sought. That exact challenge is shining through this go around for South Korea. Don’t get me wrong, Decision to Leave is one of the best films to come out in 2022. BUT… so is Broker.
With Decision to Leave most likely earning that South Korean spot, what will voters and viewers miss out on recognition for? Broker is a moving and complicated drama that tackles plenty of gray elements of a fiery topic, especially in American society. This new drama from writer-director Hirokazu Koreeda tackles abortion, adoption, and what to do when you do not want to keep your child. There is a box drop for unwanted children, which is then exploited by a group who take the children, then sell them to new parents who will raise them. But when a young mother comes back and joins this crew to vet the potential partners for their child, things get complicated.
What is does Koreeda accomplish behind the camera? First off and most importantly, he can craft a moving and emotional experience. The audience connects well with this crew, and that makes it more complicated when confronting the fact they are doing something illegal and have the cops on their tail. Are they doing a service that makes society better and just make a good living out of it? Or is this a travesty that bastardizes the adoption process? The film challenges you to navigate that in a neutral and impactful way. Sure, there are moments where you can feel the emotional manipulation at play (the music is a tad on the nose sometimes), but that only slightly removes you from the complex tale at work. There is an emotionally anchor to the vibe of the film that will always keep you asking and processing, which is a sign of an impressive film.
How does Koreeda’s script tackle these tough ideas? There are some great scenes centered on vetting potential parents. The film gives the audience a wide breadth of parents, from those who want to “flip” the child for more money, to those who feel genuine and loving. We see how each member of this crew handles the child. Some of them develop their own connection, complicating their job in the process. The inclusion of the actual mother in this journey is a genius stroke which turns up the drama and emotional potential in meaningful ways. The dynamics between the women of the group are increasingly tense, and they show a powerful side of the conversation, as they debate the best course of action for an unwanted pregnancy.
Why is Broker one of the destined unsung films of awards season this year? The cast (led by the always great Song Kang-Ho, veteran of many Bong Joon-Ho films) is top-notch, with each member delivering the ideas and emotion asked of them in a great way. This film is beautifully directed, which allows for the humanity to bleed through and define the experience. This is an important film, as well as one filled with complex and timely ideas that will put the audience in a place to think and question in a good way. If it wasn’t for that darn Decision to Leave (another fantastic film worthy of its praise), Broker might be one of those top International Film contenders.
Score: 9/10
Broker is set to be released on December 26
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