An intense and surreal experience is in store for viewers this Sunday (September 8) as the tagalized version of the 2004 Cannes Grand Prix award winning South Korean film “Oldboy” hits Philippine television on the Blockbuster Sundays movie block of Cinema One.

Starring Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, and Kang Hye-jung, “Oldboy” goes into the life of an average man who is kidnapped and imprisoned in a shabby cell without any explanation. After a grueling fifteen years, he is then released, eager to arrive at an explanation for what had been done to him. However, it turns out that his kidnapper has a greater plan for him, thus equipping him with money, a cellphone, and expensive clothes—aside from an odd assignment that he is required to complete. He is then thrown into a turbulent path of pain and suffering in an attempt to uncover the motives of his mysterious tormentor.

Directed by Chan Wook-park, “Oldboy” received high acclaim internationally, even taking home the Grand Prix at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. It particularly received high praise from the President of the Jury at the time, director Quentin Tarantino. Famous American film critic Rogert Ebert said that “Oldboy” is a “powerful film not because of what it depicts, but because of the depths of the human heart which it strips bare”, revealed in the way that the film’s main character is pushed to his limits. “Oldboy” was also named by voters on CNN as part of the ten best Asian films ever made.

Due to its popularity, a Hollywood remake of “Oldboy” is also set for release this year, under the direction of Spike Lee.

Don’t miss out on “Oldboy”, airing on Cinema One’s Blockbuster Sundays movie block on September 8 at 8:00 p.m. on SkyCable channel 56.