The zombie genre has seen a resurgence in popularity, with Yeon Sang-ho's Train to Busan becoming a landmark film in the genre. Now, Sang-ho returns with Colony, a new Korean zombie thriller that takes a more evolved approach to the genre. In this article, we delve into Sang-ho's vision for Colony and how it reflects modern society. We also explore the unique choreography and practical effects that bring the zombies to life, as well as the special collaboration between Sang-ho and actor Koo Kyo-hwan.
Evolved Zombies and Modern Society
One of the key aspects of Colony is its evolved zombies, which reflect modern society's fear of rapid information exchange and the rise of collective thinking. Sang-ho explains, "The biggest strength of a zombie film is that it reflects the fear, the hidden undercurrent fear of any given society at any given time. For Train to Busan, it showed what Koreans were going through socially and in all other aspects. For Colony, I wanted to reflect our current fear, which is the fear of rapid information exchange and the rise of collective thinking."
To achieve this, Sang-ho invited three separate teams of contemporary dancers with an avant-garde style to create the zombies' movements. He explains, "For Colony, the emphasis is on the collective intelligence of the zombies. We had to show that intelligence through their movements. I invited three separate teams of contemporary dancers with an avant-garde style, and what I emphasized with them is that they should move together but not be alike."
The result is a unique brand of zombies that form together like Voltron, with movements that are both harmonious and individual. Sang-ho adds, "The choreography team created movements that were both harmonious and individual. It was shockingly done with practical FX."
Collaboration with Koo Kyo-hwan
Colony also features a special collaboration between Sang-ho and actor Koo Kyo-hwan, who plays the main antagonist, Seo Young-chul. Sang-ho explains why Koo Kyo-hwan is such a special actor, "Koo Kyo-hwan is a very exceptional man, meaning the characters he creates and the way he approaches acting is different from most actors. He is also a film maniac and a filmmaker, and a fan of subculture genres that I like. We communicate very easily, and he understands what I want him to create."
Practical Effects and Choreography
The zombies in Colony are brought to life with minimal CGI and practical effects. Sang-ho explains, "Colony uses minimal CGI. What you see is what our choreography team created. The dancers were already very used to creating group dance sequences, and they used each other's bodies to come up with that kind of movement."
The result is a stunning display of choreography and practical effects that bring the zombies to life in a way that is both realistic and visually stunning.
Conclusion
Colony is a must-see for fans of the zombie genre and modern society. With its evolved zombies, special collaboration, and stunning practical effects, it is a film that will leave a lasting impression. As Sang-ho explains, "The biggest strength of a zombie film is that it reflects the fear, the hidden undercurrent fear of any given society at any given time. For Colony, I wanted to reflect our current fear, which is the fear of rapid information exchange and the rise of collective thinking."
So, if you're looking for a thrilling and thought-provoking zombie film, look no further than Colony.
