1930s Korea in the period of Japanese occupation. A new girl (Sookee) is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress (Hideko) who lives a secluded life on a large countryside estate with her domineering Uncle (Kouzuki). But the maid has a secret. She is a pickpocket recruited by a swindler posing as a Japanese Count to help seduce the Lady and rob her of her fortune. All seems to proceed according to plan until Sookee and Hideko discover some unexpected emotions. Adapted from Sarah Waters’ best-selling novel Fingersmith, The Handmaiden is a sumptuous erotic period thriller, full of mind-blowing twists and turns, humour and darkness from revered cult auteur Park Chan-wook (Old Boy, Stoker).
We will be screening the Director’s cut of The Handmaiden at 19:30 on Sun 30 April.
Intrigued to learn more about The Handmaiden? Listen to our review in this month’s film podcast. Skip to 17 seconds in to hear what we have to say…