Based on the preface to "The Book of Fish" written by Jung Yak-Jeon, director Lee Joon-ik, known for his period films, returns to talk about the life of Jeong Yak-jeon, a Catholic scholar. And takes the opportunity, at the same time, to portray the concerns of Korea at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Directed by Lee Joon-ik Screenplay by Kim Se-gyeom Based on Jasaneobo, Pishine Encyclopedia, by Yak-jeon Photography Lee Eui-tae Release date March 31, 2021 Duration 126 minutes Country South Korea Korean language Distribution Sol Kyung-gu Byun Yo-han
Synopsys
Jung Yak-Jeon is a scholar under King Jeongjo. Accused of treason, he was exiled in 1801 to the island of Heuksando after the ascension of King Sunjo to the throne. He meets Jang Chang Dae, a young fisherman who has a very wide knowledge of the sea, flora and fauna. Adept of confusionism, he refuses to speak to this Catholic traitor. The scholar, passionate about everything the young man can teach him about fish, begins to write a book that will be a reference in the field in South Korea. Little by little, he will become the mentor of this fisherman thirsty for knowledge. 
Impressions
The two men apparently have different philosophies. Jang Chang Dae, the young fisherman cannot conceive that one can believe in a world without a king. The scholar dreams of a society where all human beings are equal. Through their exchanges, they reflect the changing situation of that time. They argue. Jang Chang Dae blindly adheres to the ancestral values of Confucianism and rejects Western thoughts. The scholar tries to make him understand that it is not because one embraces the Catholic faith that one rejects the philosophy of Confucius. By his revolutionary and progressive ideas, by his atrocious death, Prince Sado seems to have put a firecracker in an anthill. Culture has indeed been liberated, provoking all kinds of reactions. His son, King Jeongjo, was responsible for the greatest cultural turning point of the time and ultimately of Korea. And then the king dies and there is a total stampede between ideas from the West, supporters of Neo-Confucianism and conservatives. The interactions between the two men seem innocuous. Their exchanges are indeed in a funny and carefree tone. They are actually a reflection of Korea's flourishing early nineteenth-century modernism. 
The Book of Fish, a black and white film
This is not the first time Lee Joon-ik has used black and white for one of his films. The comparison between "Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet" and "The book of fish" is very interesting. The black and white of the first film gives an impression of ashes, of something opaque, dusty. It adds heaviness. Like pollution that clings to the skin and makes us feel dirty. The details then become more pronounced. Dark circles, salt in the corner of the lips, thinness. The black and white of the "Portrait of a Poet" locks us in this Japanese prison, corners us. It accentuates the dramatic subject, it almost allows a transfer. It is with some apprehension that we approach a film that deals with a poet imprisoned under the Japanese occupation, in black and white at that. But in the same way that a song is able to situate us in a particular atmosphere, the monochrome choice of the director also opens the door directly to a very oriented atmosphere. 
Paradoxically, the black and white of "The book of fish" adds amplitude to the space. The work of the director and the cinematographer, overflows the screen of the precise moment when island, the sea, make their appearance. No need for color. The shots, the contrasts, the brightness, this evolution in this confined surface where all the inhabitants seem to have a fraternal relationship. All these details open a dimension, like a joie de vivre. It is also obvious that the choice of black and white brings us directly back to the first drafts of Japanese cinema, before the year 1930. At that time, it was about the wise, kind heroes with naĂŻve airs who represented the evolution towards modernism. This story based on real facts makes sense by this choice of the director. And then of course, impossible to neglect this detail at the end, which will inevitably bring us back to that little girl in the red coat from "Schindler's List". With this scene, Spielberg wanted to show us the Jewish human being as an individuality rather than as a group. In "The book of fish", this little blue bird that comes out of a sea urchin could make us think of a country that seeks to fly away. To free oneself, in short. A very strong feeling is appropriated of us: the director has managed to make us feel the hope of the scholar. 
The director
In an interview with "The Korea Times" Lee Joon-ik talks about his desire to share the history of Korea. "When I attended overseas film markets and met people in the industry, I realized that they knew very little about Korea's history. This encouraged me to do "Once Upon a Time on the Battlefield" in 2003. Fortunately, it became a success, which gave me the strength to continue making period films until today." And that's to his credit. Because films like The King and the Clown, Sunny or The throne have earned him recognition, not only in his country but also internationally.
Historical background
The three brothers, Yak-Jeon, Yak-Jong, and Yak-Yong, were born at the time of Prince Sado's execution. Prince Sado (1735-1762) was condemned by his own father to die locked in a 120cmÂČ box. Accused of alienation and treason. His crime? He wanted the people to learn to read and write, to have access to culture, to initiatory manuscripts. As his revolutionary ideas were unacceptable, he should have been convicted of treason. Absolutely unthinkable because it would have cost the lives of his wife and son. He was then charged with lunatics, which resulted in an atrocious death. King Yeongjo, Prince Sado's father, ordered that everything that had been written about the prince be burned. He also imposed not to talk about him anymore, as if he had never existed. However, on the death of King Yeongjo, Jeongjo (born Yi San), son of Prince Sado and already appointed regent, ascended the throne. It was during his enthronement ceremony, which he proclaimed to be the son of Prince Sado, causing fear and mistrust among all the politicians who had played a role in the execution of the prince. He spent most of his reign trying to clear his father's name and reputation. While implementing all the ideals his father dreamed of. He founded a royal library "Kyujanggak (ê·ì„ê°)", whose objective was to improve the cultural and political position of Joseon. With the help of many scholars such as Jeong Yak-Yong, brother of Jung Yak Jeon (the main character of the film), he opened government positions to all those who could not take royal examinations because of their social rank. But King Jeongjo died at the age of 47. His widow, Queen Jeongsun, assumed the regency. It opposed reformers and Catholics, who were considered traitors. This is why in 1801, Jeong Yak-Jong, leader of the new Catholic community, was executed and his two brothers sent into exile. (Beginning of the film) 
Like all the works directed by director Lee Joon-ik, The Book of Fish brings us a fragment of Korea's history. Filled with colors despite the choice of monochrome, we will be able to smell, passion and emotions.
