Walking Through the Path of Culture and Arts

After experiencing the darkness and threat of death in the Wyoming mine, we are now travelling to Shanghai – the next stop in Stephen’s journey.  Rather than landing in a raw and remote underground location, this time we start in a place with selected exhibits showing human history, culture and arts.  We are in a museum in Shanghai.  Director Park Chan-wook is known for his clever use of symbolism and artistry in his other films, his iconic style is also found in “A Rose Reborn”, the elegant and experimental film he creates for Ermenegildo Zegna. 

Continuing from the scene in the last episode, a piece of not well-cooked rice cracked in between Stephen’s teeth; this new episode begins with him looking at a carved rice grain.  This transformation of a piece of dried rice into valuable artifact demonstrates the beauty of art and craftsmanship, as well as associating to director Park’s idea of “reborn” - something rising from death in a metaphorical rebirth.

The story starts with Stephen who represents the Western culture to seek for Mr Lu from the East; the two leaders from two different cultures eventually join hands to launch a project for a better world.  When you watch the film, remember to pay extra attention to the sculpted rice grain.  You will be surprised by the aesthetic idea and philosophical association of director Park. 

If you look back to the 2nd episode, in the mine tunnel the idea of the broken suit concept has been brought up for the first time when Stephen and the messenger of Mr Lu exchange their jackets.  At the museum, Stephen is again speaking to the messenger.  But let’s guess in the exhibition hall full of visitors, are they going to exchange clothes again or what are they going to share?  See for yourself and get the hint for Stephen’s final destination. 

“A Rose Reborn” is a journey for Stephen signifying his growth and a hope for a better world.  We can see that he is more at ease meeting the mysterious messenger face to face in the museum after the “painful” stay underground in the mine, as well as the undesirable flight.  These are actually his learning experiences and he is improving to be “creative, daring, and starting anew”, as mentioned by director Park.  “Only after some kind of death, in a symbolic sense, after going through some kind of destruction, on the ruins of breaking something down, these things can begin.”