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SYNOPSIS __________
Plot:
It is AD 2080, the world has become a high-tech information
society where national boundaries may have disintegrated but
has been restructured as nation-states interconnected by a
huge network. Genetic engineering and Mechanical engineering
has reached its peak enabling the world to modify clone human
DNA by a neuro-chip. Hence, a neuro-chip geared human clone
with artificial intelligence, "Combiner" is born
and these Combiners become integral parts of human life.
Constant war between the nation-states and
the rapid scientific growth intensifies the gulf between the
rich and poor. The poor gather at the outskirts of the city
and create a slum district built on the water called "Raiha".
Meanwhile, the Combiners develop an effect called "Split
Dubbing" whereby their souls merge through unknown channels.
The split dubbed Combiners AWOL and create new social problems.
A unit of MPs is formed to eliminate the AWOL Combiners. Among
them is R (25yrs, male) who falls in love with complimentary
service Combiner, Lea.
DETAILS__________
Studio:
Tube Entertainment / Jowoo production
Release Date:
South
Korea, Sept. 2003
DVD REGION 3 January
20, 2004
Natural City (2 discs) --- click
here for DVD details
BUZZ__________
Oct. 16, 2003
"Many of South Korean cinema's current strengths (concept,
character, structure) have strangely deserted it in big budget
productions, and the dark, dystopian "Natural City"
is no exception. Sophomore pic by writer-director Min Byeong-cheon
("Phantom, the Submarine," 1999) crashed and burned
at the box office within days of its release in late September,
partly due to a bungled marketing campaign which swung between
two extremes -- a scifi action drama a la "Blade Runner"
and a fanciful futuristic romance. Offshore, however, this
still has considerable potential as a cult ancillary title
and late-night fest attraction.
Unlike other recent Korean bombs, such as the promising "Yesterday"
and irredeemable "Resurrection of the Little Match Girl,"
both of which suffered from lack of producer control, "Natural
City" was remolded following previews, with considerable
trimming. Final result, though flawed by a weak central relationship,
at least has a strong personality of its own and doesn't tarry.
When it works, it works well on a genre level." ----
By DEREK ELLEY, VARIETY -- click
here for full review
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