#jason yu

[eyeronmaus]

"Without dogs barking, without children crying, I want to live in peace, with no one but you."

[fearsmagazine]

TERRORGRAM - Filmmaker Jason Yu discusses his feature film debut, SLEEP, with FEARS Magazine's executive editor, Joseph B Mauceri.

In Jason Yu’s feature film debut, SLEEP, he introduces us to Newlyweds Hyun-su, an aspiring actor, and Soo-jin, a successful executive, who have their domestic bliss up-ended when Hyun-su begins speaking in his sleep. He sits up in bed and ominously states, “Someone’s inside.” From that night on, whenever he falls asleep, Hyun-su sleepwalks doing bizarre things, with no recollection of what happened the night before. Overwhelmed with anxiety that he may hurt himself or their young family, Soo-jin can barely sleep because of this irrational fear.

Is Hyun-su’s behavior a result of a medical condition or a more sinister underlying cause? Despite treatment and taking precautions, Hyun-su’s sleepwalking intensifies, and Soo-jin begins to feel that her unborn child may be in danger. With her options running out, she turns to her mother and her shaman to look into alternative causes and solutions.

Director Jason YU was not a film major. He storytelling as part of a literary writing course in college. After his military service, he immersed himself in films, watching building a true passion for the cinema. Jason joined a film club and began creating short films, among his 8 short films his film VIDEO MESSAGE that was screened in the competition sections of the Seoul Independent Film Festival and IndieForum Film Festival. His short film THE FAVOR won the Fantastic Short Film Award at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival. His short film work lead to him working as one of the assistant directors on films like SECRETLY, GREATLY and OKJA, as well as translating English subtitles for BURNING. His desire to create genre films that audiences could enjoy, as well as his fascination sleepwalking, inspired by real cases of patients with the disorder, YU wondered about the daily lives of those around the affected individuals, including their families.

FEARS Magazine's joseph B. Mauceri spoke with Jason YU shortly before the films US release on September 27th, 2024, from Magnet Releasing.

[sacredwhores]

Jason Yu - Sleep (2023)

[cinematicjourney]

Sleep (2023) | dir. Jason Yu

[lostinmac]

Sleep (2023)

Dir. Jason Yu

[moviemosaics]

Sleep

directed by Jason Yu, 2023

[billybutcher]

Jam

[babadork]

[tinyreviews]

The ending took a dark, horrible turn. But I had been waiting for a Sixth Sense-esque twist the whole time...

Also, given the tight cast and setting, this could have been easily made into a one-location story.

Sleep (Korean: 잠; RR: jam) is a 2023 South Korean black comedy horror mystery thriller film written and directed by Jason Yu, in his feature debut. The film stars Jung Yu-mi and Lee Sun-kyun.

[moviesandmania]

SLEEP (2023)

‘Something awakens’ Sleep is a 2023 South Korean mystery dark comedy horror film about a pregnant wife who becomes worried about her husband’s sleeping habits. Also known as Jam and 잠. Written and directed by Jason Yu – making his feature film directorial debut. The Lewis Pictures-Solaire Partners co-production stars Lee Sun-kyun [aka 이선균], Jung Yu-mi [aka 정유미], Kim Keum-soon, Kim Kuk-hee, Lee…

[50books50movies]

Sleep

I wish they hadn’t stigmatized the mother suffering from postpartum anxiety in the second act, and the film relies a little too heavily on the device of waking up from a dream fake-out. However, the film really effectively creates the relationship between Jung Yi-mi’s Soo-jin and Lee Sun-kyun’s Hyeon-soo in the first act so the finale has emotional heft, and the groundwork for the finale is really cleverly laid out.

[kisafilms]

Review: “Sleep”

The scary part is the lack of control. When you’re asleep, anything can happen. Your mind can dream up things wonderful and terrible. You can talk out loud. You can get up and move and walk with zero conscious control over your limbs. Recently, I fell asleep at my desk while working on a job […] Review: “Sleep”

[themnmovieman]

Movie Review ~ Sleep (2023)

Sleep (2023) Synopsis: A young, expectant wife must figure out how to stop her husband’s nightmarish sleepwalking habits before he harms himself or his family.Stars: Lee Sun-kyun, Jung Yu-miDirector: Jason YuRated: NRRunning Length: 95 minutes Review: Some of the most chilling cinematic experiences come from the simplest human acts.  Swimming (Jaws), showering (Psycho), eating (The Menu),…

[fearsmagazine]

SLEEP - Review

DISTRIBUTOR: Magnet Releasing

SYNOPSIS: In the marital bliss of Hyun-su, an aspiring actor, and Soo-jin, a successful executive, a peculiar disturbance arises. As Hyun-su delves into the realm of slumber, his utterances transform into an eerie statement, "Someone's inside." With each passing night, Hyun-su's sleepwalking episodes escalate, leaving him with no memory of his nocturnal escapades. Overwhelmed by the fear that Hyun-su might harm himself or their young family, Soo-jin finds herself wrestling with irrational anxieties, unable to rest peacefully. Is Hyun-su's behavior a manifestation of a medical condition or a more ominous underlying cause? Despite medical interventions and precautionary measures, Hyun-su's sleepwalking intensifies, casting a shadow of concern over Soo-jin's infant daughter.

REVIEW: In his feature film debut, filmmaker Jason Yu skillfully weaves a captivating narrative around a young couple and their infant daughter. As the husband succumbs to sleep, enigmatic forces emerge, posing a grave threat to their safety. Yu's masterful use of storytelling and visuals keeps the viewer in a state of uncertainty, unable to fully comprehend the unfolding events. This deliberate ambiguity builds suspense and heightens tension, creating a gripping viewing experience.

Yu's screenplay exemplifies the use of character development and perspective to create a haunting atmosphere in a psychological horror film. The plot unfolds as Soo-jin's husband awakens, uttering "someone's insides," suggesting the presence of an ominous threat. With the birth of their daughter, this evolves into an exploration of postpartum depression, Hyun-su's worsening sleepwalking, and Soo-jin’s deteriorating mental state, which is pushed to the brink by her peculiar neighbors and her mother's belief that her husband's condition is supernatural. Hyun-su battles with modern medicine's inability to cure his sleepwalking, his wife's increasingly erratic behavior, and his unemployment as a result. As these characters navigate their intertwining nightmares, Yu immerses the viewer in their madness, evoking feelings of terror and confusion. The climax leaves it up to the viewer's interpretation, leaving them wondering about the exact resolution of the events.

The movie's visual aesthetics are rooted in an organic, lifelike design, employing the apartment's cramped spaces to cultivate a claustrophobic atmosphere. Through lighting, framing, and music, the director builds suspense and manipulates the viewer's expectations. However, instead of relying solely on jump scares, he focuses on crafting psychological tension. Supernatural elements are present, but presented from a character's perspective, leaving the viewer to question whether these events are truly supernatural or a reflection of the character's perception. Like a skilled poker player, the director keeps his cards close to his chest, never fully revealing the true nature of the film's events. This strategic approach enhances the intensity and intrigue of the viewing experience.

In a captivating performance, actors Lee Sun-kyun and Jung Yu-mi portray a couple whose relationship is unraveled by an unknown force, whether medical or supernatural. Their characters are so believable that you feel they are a genuine, loving couple. You can empathize with their individual struggles and frustration as they grapple with the lack of answers. Jung Yu-mi masterfully portrays a woman on the brink of a mental breakdown, losing touch with reality. The narrative takes the viewer on an emotional roller coaster ride, filled with unexpected twists and turns.

In Jason Yu's SLEEP, a horror film aficionado will find subtle nods to classic horror films. Unlike many American films that overtly pay homage or blatantly recreate scenes from these classics, Yu artfully weaves these references into his narrative, ensuring they serve the story rather than standing out as glaring imitations, winking at the viewer. The cultural differences and the lack of glamorous Hollywood celebrities lull the audience into the tale, creating emotional connections that resonate deeply. I particularly admire the narrative and visual construction of the film's climax and resolution. It offers viewers something to contemplate and lingers in their minds long after the credits roll, leaving a lasting impression that could be described as haunting.

Jason Yu's passion for filmmaking shines through inSLEEP, showcasing his admiration for the genre. His journey under the guidance of talented mentors has honed his skills, making him a virtuoso in storytelling and filmmaking. I have high expectations for his upcoming cinematic endeavors and look forward to witnessing his continued cinematic efforts.

CAST: Lee Sun-kyun, Jung Yu-mi, CREW: Director/Screenplay - Jason Yu; Producers - Lewis Tae-wan Kim & Kim Hee-kyoung; Cinematographer - Kim Tae-soo; Score - Chang Hyuk-jin, Chang Yong-jin; Editor - Han Mee-yeon; Production Designer - Shin Yu-jin. OFFICIAL: www.magnetreleasing.com/sleep/ FACEBOOK: N.A. TWITTER: N.A. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/w5n7fTgroEU?si=RvbOrLHmgQCS7Tgn RELEASE DATE: In theaters & on digital Sept. 27th, 2024.

Listen to our interview with JASON YU HERE!

**Until we can all head back into the theaters our “COVID Reel Value” will be similar to how you rate a film on digital platforms - 👍 (Like), 👌 (It’s just okay), or 👎 (Dislike)

Reviewed by Joseph B Mauceri

[filmhoundsmag]

"In some ways, it’s a commentary on my naivety" - Jason Yu Talks Sleep

Continue reading “In some ways, it’s a commentary on my naivety” – Jason Yu Talks Sleep

[thepeoplesmovies]

Raindance Film Festival Announce 2024 Winners

The 2024 Raindance Film Festival will end tomorrow, today we learned about this year’s award winners. The 32nd Raindance Film Festival is the first year, the awards system has this year been overhauled to reflect the festival’s newly defined focus on emerging filmmakers. Honouring those features by debut and second-time filmmakers in five categories: Discovery Award for Debut Feature, Best…