As far an fan-made films usually go, its often an embarrassing affair. Low budget productions coupled with adolescents who figure they can achieve more then they set out to do. There’s a reason why the high-gloss of Hollywood production or the careful craftsmanship of independent features is not easy to emulate. It takes careful training, intense logistical organization, and often times some sort of studio backing.
I wouldn’t go so far as to rave over Philanthropy or even cite it as an example opposite of this dilemma, but it comes close. Created by actual film students who seemingly have the abilities to work in the commercial industry, the film overall is quite impressive and surprising. The production level emulates a mid-level TV show which is quite impressive as is. Acting seems professional as well as the costuming, staging, and mise en scene.
Lets face it, Korean cinema has been far from impressive of late. Especially when we put things in contrast to earlier this very same decade that saw an emerging new generation that inventively crafted genre films capable of drawing huge international markets. Whether it was Park Chan Wook, Bong Joon Ho, or Kim Ki Duk, it was obvious that there was a shifting paradigm away from the more classical mentalities of old blood like Im Kwon-taek or even the monotonous flood of mainstream romance comedies or period films on the other side of the spectrum.
