ParterreParterre

Parterre is a wrestling term that refers to a penalty, requiring a player to lay down flat at the center of the playing mat. The penalized player must get into an absolutely disadvantageous position and withstand his opponent’s attack with all his might. Dongsung High School’s wrestler, Oh-sung, feels that he has been in the Parterre position throughout all his life. He is never given any opportunity as he belongs to no nationality due to his illegal Mongolian immigrant mother. Young-chul, mother’s boyfriend who works in a moving company, only uses Oh-sung in order to marry his mother. Meanwhile, a person from wrestling association visits Oh-sung and promises to adopt him under the condition of winning the national wrestling competition. When stepping aside from dangerously assuming the pain of others, the true discipline of Parterre is revealed. That power is strong enough to make Oh-sung lay down flat. However, that power is arbitrarily practiced by a wide array of actors ranging from decision-makers to blue collared workers. Parterre is a penalty that has been controversial every year due to the risk of biased judgement, and may become abolished. Directed by LEE Sangwhan, the winner of Korean Competition for Shorts section at the 20th Jeonju International Film Festival. (PARK Chi-young)