I'm only writing this review on account of a personal project of mine. I decided a few months back to write reviews about all Horror films I'd watch, in order to have sort of a library of reviews and remember my experiences with each film. Unfortunately, I am unable to be objective nor subjective about Whispering Corridors.
While watching, I was unintentionally and uncontrollably hindered by two things. The first - I'm not sure if I found a bad translation, or if the Korean language is really as such. I'm afraid it was the first option, as I have no idea how 3 sentences could be summarized in 5 words. Half the time of most dialogues the screen was empty of text. As a translator, a poet and a former teacher - I know that no translation ever captures 100% of the original meaning, but in this case I couldn't help but feeling that I wasn't being exposed to lots of information, however redundant. And the second problem I experienced was my inability to differentiate the Korean female students. I am not at all racist, but they all seemed too much alike, and their names sounded too much alike... I guess I haven't seen enough Asian films and/or Asian people in my life, and I realize this is a shortcoming of myself and my life, and not the film.
Taking all the aforementioned into account, I was completely robbed the film's twist, as I could barely understand. I was only able to interpret the music (which was excellent, by the way) and the event, but not completely experience the twist as someone who'd been successful in following and keeping up with the entire film would have. Therefore, I feel I cannot with a clear conscience rate this film. I can say good music and interesting dramatic shooting and cinematography, but that's all. And without being able to have an opinion of the acting,and most importantly the story - one cannot rate. So I can't recommend the film, and I can't criticize it. It did, however, feel to me like I missed out.
While watching, I was unintentionally and uncontrollably hindered by two things. The first - I'm not sure if I found a bad translation, or if the Korean language is really as such. I'm afraid it was the first option, as I have no idea how 3 sentences could be summarized in 5 words. Half the time of most dialogues the screen was empty of text. As a translator, a poet and a former teacher - I know that no translation ever captures 100% of the original meaning, but in this case I couldn't help but feeling that I wasn't being exposed to lots of information, however redundant. And the second problem I experienced was my inability to differentiate the Korean female students. I am not at all racist, but they all seemed too much alike, and their names sounded too much alike... I guess I haven't seen enough Asian films and/or Asian people in my life, and I realize this is a shortcoming of myself and my life, and not the film.
Taking all the aforementioned into account, I was completely robbed the film's twist, as I could barely understand. I was only able to interpret the music (which was excellent, by the way) and the event, but not completely experience the twist as someone who'd been successful in following and keeping up with the entire film would have. Therefore, I feel I cannot with a clear conscience rate this film. I can say good music and interesting dramatic shooting and cinematography, but that's all. And without being able to have an opinion of the acting,and most importantly the story - one cannot rate. So I can't recommend the film, and I can't criticize it. It did, however, feel to me like I missed out.