Posted By: Mary Martin
Posted On: March 21, 2016
Mary Martin
6-12th grade
Visual Arts
Winchester Thurston School
''Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter . . . and Spring'', written and directed by Kim Ki-duk, is a mature yet simplistic film that delivers universally complex life lessons about spiritual journey. As suggested by the title, the film moves through 5 cyclical seasons while allowing the viewer to experience the interactions of two anonymous (yet universal) characters-an elderly monk and his young student. Each change of season is marked by the boy’s significant character transformation from innocent youth to an experienced old man. The film’s setting is an isolated a tiny monk monastery built on a floating wooden base in the center of a small lake in Korea. The monastery and lake are surrounded by a gorgeous landscape of lush trees, mountains, and a waterfall that change with each season. A small painted wooden boat allows the two dwellers access to the surrounding terrain that is a natural extension of the sacred monastery.
Each seasonal change brought about a shift in experiences and new lessons. Spring taught about the consequences of disrupting the natural order of living things. It also taught that harming other creatures would eventually cause harm to one’s own self. One must carry that burden in their hearts if they cause permanent injury to others. With summer came desire when a sick girl arrived seeking treatment. She and the boy together lose their innocence and self-control. Within and outside of the temple, subtly defined wall-less boundaries are easily crossed when one loses sight of the spiritual path. The elder teacher warned him by saying, “Lust awakens the desire to possess, which ends in the intent to murder.'' Autumn brought about the foretold destructive desires that led to the losses of life both in the sacred and secular realms. Lessons of meditation and penance are then taught to purify the spirit. Winter brought about lessons of self-awakening and repentance. Awareness of Buddha’s omnipotent presence was emphasized by placing Buddha at the highest point of the mountain range where visibility is at its height. Ultimately, Spring awakened once again with the cyclical pattern coming full circle but replaced this time with father as monk and son as student. Here, the son is seen playing with a turtle and this reminds one of the turtle’s mature capacity to withdraw inward in order to avoid external dangers. Quite seamlessly, the story ends where it begins-- just as the circle of life.
This R rated film is creatively crafted and packed with invaluable lessons, but I would NOT recommend screening the ENTIRE film to any grade level class. There are two very inappropriate scenes in the “Summer” vignette that include nudity. However, I would be comfortable showing the film to discuss Korean Buddhist teachings if the “Summer” segment was left out or simply fast forwarded through. With that specific editing in place, I think that middle or high school aged youth would benefit greatly from the film’s various lessons.