Psychokinesis - Fortune of Modesty
Thoughts On: Psychokinesis (염력, 2018)
An estranged father develops a chance to defend his daughter from corrupt property developers.
A pleasant blend of social melodrama and superhero action, Psychokinesis draws attention to controversial forced evictions in big South Korean cities, deploring large corporations that displace common people and their businesses. It grounds this social commentary with a sentimental narrative of an estranged father and daughter reconnecting. The drama is simple and the villains exuberantly ridiculous, but there is a levity in the tone of Psychokinesis that holds things together amicably. The superhero aspect of this film is tethered quite well to its efforts toward social commentary with our main character being rather unremarkable, and his efforts as a hero equally humble. Without the distraction of a grand narrative or epic scale of action in which the world must be saved, Psychokinesis does well in its presentation of modesty in the face of fortune and power. My favourite detail of the film comes in a scene in which the daughter of the to-be superhero despairs at her name, Roo-Mi, which is said to mean lowly and weak. She is told however that name was probably given to her to ward off bad luck and evil spirits who steal away children of good fortune. This in contrast to her father's developed powers speaks to positive force of humble appearance and action. The evil corporation and bad guys of this narrative consider themselves - and operate as - slaves to a greater system just like those it oppresses. They are nonetheless captured by its evil in assuming a fortuitous facade and seeking power themselves. Such speaks to the corruption of power, centralising the purifying force of modesty. This encapsulates the general thematic movement of the film, distinguishing it from your average superhero narrative and relating it to simpler kung fu tales (The 36th Chamber of Shaolin is a great example) in which a hero rises out of social injustice with power and intent only to reinstate balance in his personal life and community. For this Psychokinesis is very enjoyable and equally relatable in its sentimentality.
