I'm really getting hyped for Thirst, the new vampire thriller from award-winning South Korea auteur Park Chan-wook. Recently awarded the Jury Prize at the 2009 Cannes International Film Festival, Thirst will be released in select U.S. theaters July 31 from Focus Features. It looks insane.
Top Korean star Song Kang-ho stars as Sang-hyun, a priest who cherishes life; so much so, that he selflessly volunteers for a secret vaccine development project meant to eradicate a deadly virus. But the virus takes the priest, and a blood transfusion is urgently ordered up for him. The blood he receives is infected, so Sang-hyun lives -- but now exists as a vampire.
Struggling with his newfound carnal desire for blood, Sang-hyun's faith is further strained when a childhood friend's wife comes to him asking for his help in escaping her life. Sang-hyun soon plunges into a world of sensual pleasures, finding himself on intimate terms with the Seven Deadly Sins.
I'm both thrilled and kind of scared of seeing what kind of twisted, horrifying film Park has cooked up this time. The early buzz from Cannes is good, but it all indicates it's another serious gut punch. Can't wait. For more info on the film, and to watch the trailer, go to the website here.