Thirst (2009)

[bunniefuu]

Then I took it out to eat it.

It was...

this big.

Yellow, tasty looking sponge cake.

I held it in my bosom all day.

Then I saw a girl carrying
her sister on her back.

Looked obvious they were starving.

So pale, weak, and helpless.

I turned away to eat it.

But... I ended up giving it to them.

It must've been warm
since I carried it around all day.

I didn't know if I'll ever have
cake like that again.

She gobbled it down
and shoved some in her sister's mouth.

Think God will remember that?

Though it's been 30 years?

Absolutely.

Remembering is His specialty.

Of course.

That song, Father,
can you play it for me, again?

You can do CPR, right?

Go!

Stop!

Again!

200 Joules.

Charge.

Those who seek direct communication
with God are prone to self-hatred...

The Devil will eat right into you.

As St. Bruno said,
"Suicide is to die a martyr for Satan."

It's worse than first degree m*rder.

It's worth a life sentence in hell.

20 Hail Marys, get lots of sun,
and take a cold shower.

Get God's help through science
and take some anti-depressants.

Stop thinking about k*lling yourself.

And forget the b*stard who dumped you.

Father...

I'll deal with the b*stards
and the worldly matters.

You just stick to praying, Father.

Ask the bishop to send me
to Emmanuel Labs, please?

The Vatican does not approve
of that experiment.

Sarah died on Monday,
even after 8 surgeries.

Hyo-sung went into a coma yesterday.

It kills me to watch them dying.

No one knows
what really goes on at that lab.

I want to save people.

I told you to go to med school
since you were in the crib.

Study ophthalmology and heal my eyes.

But Father, I must go and...

Enough!
I'll just give you absolution.

Stick to the confession! Geeze!

Dear patients, I regret
not seeing you before I left.

I was busy preparing for
my sudden vacation.

I packed a bunch of things.

But they say to bring my body only.

The monastery prepared
a luxurious hotel for me.

FR. EMMANUEL MEMORIAL
BIOCHEMICAL LABS

At times like this,
I'm glad I joined The Order.

EV, namely Emmanuel Virus.

When infected with it,
the symptoms are

first, blisters start to form at the limbs,

then around the lips, eyelids,
inside the nose,

then spread to the middle of the body

through the respiratory and digestive tracts.

The blisters cluster together,
get bigger, and burst open.

If the lesions form in the muscles,

it can form big ulcers and will haemorrhage.

If it reaches the internal organs,

the patient will start coughing up
a lot of blood,

and eventually die of excessive bleeding.

There is no cure.

So if you were to get infected
during the experiment...

all is lost.

Now.

Instead of the usual answer.

What is your real purpose for
volunteering for this experiment?

On occasion, some people come here
thinking prayer is useless.

and with the intent to commit
a dramatic suicide.

That is very discouraging for us.

By nature,

it's hard to distinguish the state of mind
of those who want martyrdom or suicide.

I expect you're not someone like that,
are you?

Are you sure about this?

My prayers work fine.

Please look at the camera and speak.

Since Father Emmanuel isolated the virus,

there's not been one African
among the 600 victims.

They've all been Caucasians or Asians.

And over 80% of them have been
missionaries, namely single males.

That's why the people here
call the disease the "Curse of Bazira".

Bazira is the goddess of widows.

First, we administer the vaccine
we have developed,

then an inactive EV inside the body.

Then we observe
if the vaccine functions properly.

Grant me the following
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Like a leper rotting in flesh,
let all avoid me.

Like a cr*pple without limbs,
let me not move freely.

Remove my cheeks,
that tears may not roll down them.

Crush my lips and tongue,
that I may not sin with them.

Pull out my nails,
that I may grasp nothing.

Let my shoulders and back be bent,
that I may carry nothing.

Like a man with a tumour in the head
let me lack judgment.

Ravage my body sworn to chastity,
leave me with no pride,

and have me live in shame.

Let no one pray for me,

but only the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
have mercy on me.

A month has gone by already.

Watching the grand view through
the window is more fun than TV.

The hotel owner gave me her best room,
saying I'm handsome.

Thanks to all the sunlight,
my skin is tanned and peeling.

Time of death, 3:31 p.m.

Grant me the following
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Like a leper rotting in flesh, let all avoid me.

- Like a cr*pple without limbs...
- His skin...

let me not move freely...

6 MONTHS LATER

Father! Father!

PRAY FOR US
WOUNDED HEALER

Touch my leg, Father!

Please pray for me, Father!

Please, Father?

My daughter has leukaemia!

My mother is dying!

- Please pray for me, Father!
- Watch out, please!

Please Father, pray for us!

Father! Father!

I heard...

people are coming to seek prayers
from "The Bandaged Saint"?

Don't know how that nonsense started.

Though I did hear of
some people getting cured.

Guess it can have a psychological effect.

After all, you're the only one
who survived out of 50 volunteers.

Right?

Wow! You're so lucky!

Are you the miracle survivor out of 500?

My son has cancer!

Please pray for him!

It's just a psychological effect.
There's nothing I can do.

- Channel 9 won't come on, Mom.
- Let's pray kids.

Did you ever live in Busan?

We are gathered here
to pray for Kang-woo.

Born under your grace and love,

embracing ever a wounded street dog,

he was a kind hearted boy.

Remember his goodness
and have mercy on him.

In Jesus' name we pray.

- Amen.
- Amen.

I don't believe in this,
but since it's from an old friend.

Now, I recognize you, son.

Sorry. You're a Father, now.

I'm sorry, Father.

You used to come over for noodles.

Fifth grade, right?
You lived at the church orphanage?

My son could never pass stray cats
and was so good to the orphans.

Your sister was so shy
and ran out whenever I came over.

She had calluses on her feet
and Kang-woo made me touch them.

Her parents rented
a small room in our house.

Her father was a high school drop out.

This is my blood shed for you
so that sins may be forgiven.

One day, they left her in my room
and said they'd be back soon.

But they never came back!

So I took the three-year-old in and
raised her like a daughter and puppy.

HAPPY HANBOK

She's call me 'mommy'.

I'm her mommy-in-law, now.

Marriage was no big deal.

She just moved from
sleeping in my bed to Kang-woo's.

Why would you buy the laver
at that place again, Mom?

I told you it's no good

and the owner's a c*cksucker.

You hate Kimbap?

No. I'm sensitive to smell these days.

I suddenly got a whiff of blood.

- Kang-woo's home.
- Mom, I caught a cold!

Hi, Sang-hyun!

What?
I told you to wear your long johns.

- We're here, too.
- Welcome.

My friend the priest.

This is our dam's manager and his wife.

It's an honour, Father.
I'm Young-du.

She's a Filipina so she's Catholic.

Say hello, Evelyn.

- Tae-ju!
- How have you been?

Here comes the Police Chief!

Please, I quit the force a long time ago.

He's the dam's security head.
This is Fr. Hyun, Sang-hyun.

- Hello.
- Do you like fishing, Father?

Get on his good side and
you can fish there though it's banned.

Daytime's a bit tricky.
Come by at nights.

- Have a seat, Father.
- Let's get started.

Koreans don't appreciate Mahjong.

Would you like to play, Father?

- Sorry. I don't know how.
- I see.

Did I tell you about Father Hyun
praying for Kang-woo?

I was standing right next to my son.

Suddenly, I felt something hot
come down on my head.

I felt tingly all over like
someone was poking me with needles.

Then my boy said:
"It feels hot right here, Mom."

Then the cancer vanished.

It vanished?

You always feel tingly
because of your blood pressure.

But I did a biopsy just in case.

The endoscope showed
it was oesophagus cancer.

Women shouldn't get sedated endoscopes.

Doctors secretly r*pe them.

I win!

Three closed triplets!

That's 8 points.

Can we turn the heater down?

But I'm cold.

Kang-woo says he's cold!

Thank you very much.

I'm losing so much.

Instead of the hot water bag!

I'm going down to get the lights in the store.

Don't you love our Mahjong g*ng?

Wednesdays, Mercury, Water...

Oasis!
How's that for our g*ng's name?

She's a Catholic, Veronica.

She was in a bad hit-and-run.

Lost a lot of blood.

She doesn't have much time.

Let this water call to mind
your baptismal sharing

in Christ's redeeming passion
and resurrection.

Veronica.
Make your confession.

By the power the apostolic See
has given me,

in the name of the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit,

I grant you a plenary indulgence...

and pardon, for all your sins.
Amen.

Through this holy anointing,

may the Lord
in his love and mercy help you,

with the grace of the Holy Spirit.

And...

may the Lord who frees you from sin,

save you and raise you up.

Amen.

Where did you wander off to this time?

When I woke up, I was at the pharmacy

and some man walked past.

Aren't there any pills for sleepwalking?

I should lock your room
from the outside.

You should have got me pills for my cold.

Weren't you cold?

You never catch a cold.

She's a Yeti, Mom.

Smells like when you had gastritis.

I'll go find the pills.

Must you do this to believe me?

Don't grab my heart so hard.

When I drank Hyo-sung's blood

the blisters disappeared.

It's as if the vampire cells
suppressed EV.

But' it doesn't last very long.

Father...

I didn't choose the blood
that was transfused into me!

You know I went there to do good!

Now, I thirst after all sinful pleasures.

But how can I get human blood
without k*lling!

First...

The Lord said
not to worry about what to eat.

For He feeds even the birds in the sky.

Here.

I think I won.

Small four winds!

Closed, half flush, bonus 3 points!

30 bucks! You lose!

Some priest.
From Macao or something?

He's the only one who survived out of 500.

500, yeah, right.

When did you go out?

I didn't see you.

It's ah...
kind of an infectious disease.

Scary, isn't it?

How different... without his glasses.

How can you get infected?

Not through a kiss for sure.

I never kissed anyone in my life.

Until now.

I don't get shy.

I didn't run out because I'm shy.

Back in Busan...

It's because I was sick of everything.

The mom, the idiot son,
the dark and damp house.

The non-stop weepy, old songs.

I waited for you to come.

The orphanage boy...

I waited for you

when I was young,

because the idiot liked you.

When you came, he left me alone.

I'm not a shy person.

I run out on my bare feet

to escape from this hell sooner.

I even run out from my sleep.

They think it's sleepwalking.

I feel awake only then
and asleep the rest of the time.

Honey!

Tae-ju!

Hot water bag!

Tae-ju?

Tae-ju!

You b*tch!

There she goes again.

I fed you and raised you!

Go put her to bed!

You can't even change
your husband's hot water bag?

How dare you!

I win.

Let go!

Stomach troubles?
What took you so long?

Eat up other's money
and you'll get diarrhoea.

What's got into you?

This looks fun.

So exciting to touch.

I could do it all night, too.

- You don't even know how to do it.
- Me?

I know how to do it.

I'm good.

They are on fire!

I can't wait until next Wednesday.

Then how about Sundays, too?

Why not?

Well...

It's Easter Sunday.
I'm staying at the hospital.

It's best to leave things in wanting.

Mom...

I...

can't live like this anymore.

I...

I want to help the needy.

Maybe I can volunteer
at a hospital or something.

On Sundays.

Thank you for coming.

Don't come again.

But I came to help the needy.

It's a bigger sin for a priest.

I'm not Catholic.

To me, you're just a needy, single man.

We can both go to hell for this.

I don't have faith.
I'm not going to hell.

But I...

I have a terrible disease.

I'm too damn healthy.

Just once,
I wish I could be sick in bed.

It's OK.

Hyo-sung's in a coma.

Unless his vitals drop,
no one will come in here at nights.

Sorry, I hurt you.

No, it's good.

It's strange, but good.

Is it supposed to feel this good?

What's wrong with me?

Are other women like this?

Am I a pervert?

- Did you eat?
- Ah, yes.

Can we meet
during the day next week?

Daytime's a bit...

We could be together longer.

I don't want to keep my disease
a secret from you.

I am...

...a kind of a...

I don't k*ll anyone, you know.

Hyo-sung...

He loved helping the hungry.

He'd offer me his blood,
if he wasn't in a coma.

If you only heard the sponge cake story.

No one blames someone
for getting hurt in an accident!

No one gets criticized for having cancer!

I went there to do good!

So what if I'm a vampire?

Did you like me because I'm a priest?

It's not that, is it? That's just my job.

Being a vampire is
like having different palates,

or different biorhythms,
don't you think?

When two people are in love,
does it really matter?

No, what I mean is...

You hate that I'm a vampire?

Think I could've slept with you if I wasn't?

How could I have sex with you?

As just a priest?

Come with me.
I'll take you away from this hell.

You liked doing it with me.
Kang-woo's no fun.

Tae-ju?

What's going on?

The toilet's not flushing.

It's going down now.

Closing time.

Hello?

How can...

someone become a vampire?

Can you catch it through sex?

Can you turn me into one?

Vampires are cuter than I thought.

Can you bend this?

What for?

Can you jump down from here?

Too high?

I'm ready.

Did Kang-woo do that?

Does he hurt you often?

Not often...

Want me to rip him up like that coin?

I lived as their dog my whole life...

feeding the idiot, washing him,
and even helping him masturbate.

You know...

I'm practically a virgin.

He's...

Does it hurt?

Can't you volunteer somewhere else?

Mental hospitals are so scary.

Drink it.

Can't you go back to the lab?

Ask if there's any way for a cure?

Sunlight is bound to hit me on my way there.

Sunlight...

I wish I can see the sunrise
over the sea before I die.

What are you thinking!

Vampires can't see the sunlight!

I don't care if it's at night.

The moon, the stars, and even a firefly.

Be the miracle worker!
Make the blind see!

Give me the vampire blood!
It even k*lled EV!

Please, Sang-hyun! Come here!

Sang-hyun! Father Hyun!

Please!

Just a little bit, please?

I'm no longer a priest nor a friar.

Forget the rules!
Forget the Vatican!

I'm leaving!

Father Hyun! Father Hyun!

I don't know why you wandered astray.

But I know you'll get through this.

I took pity on you when you were young.

We had you over for noodles.

You can stay here as long as you want.

Thank you.

Tae-ju...

She's really good at heart.

I'm giving the shop
and everything to her.

Did I do it too hard?

It's perfect.

One more time, then?

PHARMACY

- Good night.
- Sweet dreams.

Get out! Go!

Hurry!

Go! Someone will see you!

No! Don't!

The seagulls flying in the distance...

I called, but no response.

O, my hometown by the waters
where bright blue stars glisten,

in my dreams full of sorrow.

Remember Tae-ju when she was young?

Wasn't she cute?

When she was 12, she woke me up
and showed me her panties.

Said she peed blood.

Because mom worked
her day and night with needlework.

We cried together all night.

Planning on taking all night?

It's only 9 o'clock.

The hospital and police questioning
will take hours.

What if the sun comes up?

I said, no!

Just a little bit?

They'll find out with an autopsy!

Why go somewhere else for blood?

We have blood right here.

Put the knife down.

Yeah, put it down.

No! Don't come near me!

One female. Unconscious.
We'll be going soon.

Don't mention that I let you fish here.

I'll take care of everything.

Father Hyun... Father...

He became ill again for our sins!

Grant me the following
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Like a leper rotting in flesh,
let all avoid me.

Like a cr*pple without limbs,
let me not move freely.

Remove my cheeks,
that tears may not roll down them.

There was a house
at the bottom of the lake.

A submerged village.

I thought he was dead.

But when I went up, he'd float up, too.

So I put him in a closet in the house,
and a big rock on his chest.

What if he comes out and chases me?

I should've put a rock
at the closet door, too.

Death is the end. Right, Father?

When you're dead, you're dead?

See?

Vampires are not immortal.

You still want my blood?

You want to see
this dark world that badly?

You live on other's blood,
but won't give me a drop of yours!

Give me absolution and I'll give it to you.

God the Father of mercies,
has reconciled the world to himself

through the death
and resurrection of his Son

and sent the Holy Spirit among us
for the forgiveness of sins,

through the ministry of the Church
may God give you pardon and peace

and I absolve you from your sins
in the name of the Father

- and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
- Amen.

Let us praise the Lord.

The Lord's mercy endures... forever.

The Lord has forgiven your sins.

Go home and rest.

You must be tired.

She's my only friend.

I know she'll get better
if you pray for her.

Please.

In the name of the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I pray to Tae-ju.

Please wake up and listen to my prayer.

I said Kang-woo was drunk
from a bottle of So-ju.

So say the same to the cops.

When this is all over, we will be together.
We must not meet for a while.

Though my face may seem cold and rigid,

my heart only beats for you.

When we meet again,
I believe we'll finally be happy.

Father?

Doing it this way

feels like I'll live on inside you.

- Stop all the...
- Thinking, longing.

The police needs the body
to close the case.

Kang-woo couldn't swim, Mrs. Ra.
You have to move on with your life.

Kang-woo can swim.

Father Hyun's still not taking calls?

It must've been a big shock.

Still, he could've come to the funeral.

Kang-woo!

I'm Sang-hyun, Ma'am.

I know I'm all wet but...

My poor baby.

What took you so long?

Why didn't you call?

b*stard! You son of a b*tch!

- Mrs. Ra!
- Mrs. Ra!

Wake up Mrs. Ra!

Drink this, Mrs. Ra!

This is why we should all watch
our blood pressures.

Watch our drinking.

And stay away from salty foods.

Let's give Mrs Ra
our positive energy, Oasis-style.

Starting with Tae-ju.

Mom...

How long has it been?

- Why are you so wet?
- What?

Is there a leak?

Why is it so damp?

Come here and stop imagining things.

It's all psychological.

Stop making a fuss
and will you come here?

Was he here, too?

He? Who?

Get off me!

Don't fall for it.

It's all just an illusion.

It's just psychological.

You're going?

How can someone do it
five times, straight?

Mom never once threw me a birthday party.

How dare you!

But she always gave me plenty to eat.

Then thank her.

Thank you.

Can't you go to that detective?

Aren't you thirsty these days?

I'll throw you a birthday party this year.

Really?
The first birthday party in my life?

But I don't know when my birthday is.

But who made you boss?

Telling me this and that
and hitting me around.

Kang-woo never laid a hand on me.

Did Kang-woo...

beat you or not?

Why does that matter?

That's why he died!

Don't make excuses!

You would've k*lled him anyway.

So you can have me for yourself.

Do you know how hard
I tried not to k*ll people?

You can't even begin to imagine!

A blood thirsty beast
is growling inside me!

But I tiptoed around afraid to hurt anyone.

I k*lled him because of you.

To save you.

To save me?

Then why am I living a nightmare?

I stay up trembling at the thought of
your cold hand touching me.

How did this happen?

Mom!

I'm done for.

He's going to k*ll me.

Poor Kang-woo!

My poor, dear mom!

You treated that devil like a son
and this is what you get?

Did I do it alone?

It was your idea.

No! It was his idea!

He said he'll k*ll the mother and son!

Honest!

I'm sorry. Please forgive me.

We were a happy family of three
till you infested us!

You're a germ!

You said I was cute, you c**t!

Mommy, mommy...

Look at me.

You can't die like this.

Mom.

Tell me you forgive me.

Mom.

Look at me.

If you forgive me, blink once.

Just one blink? Please?

Just once? Please?

Let's go!

That devil will suck
all the blood out of you, too!

Let go!

Stay back you devil!

I want to go to Kang-woo.

k*ll me, please.

You want to go?

Go to your husband?

Really?

Happy birthday, Tae-ju.

Completely white just like daylight.

That's a good girl.

From now on, we wear shoes
inside the house like in the States.

Because I'm in charge, now.

You have to sleep during the day, too.

And eat at night...

Did you just move?

Watch TV while I'm out.

A scary movie is going to be on.

I'm not ashamed at all!

I told you!

I'll get the blood!

Stealing from the hospital?

- There's more.
- What?

I'm helping people
who want to commit suicide.

I know many people like that
from listening to confessions.

If I run out, I'll find more
through the internet.

They face death more peacefully,
if I help them.

If they just give it to you,
what fun is that?

It tastes much better this way.

How many have to die for your taste?

Maybe around 500?
How's that, Father?

I told you I'm not a Father anymore!

Oh dear, the Father is mad.

Stop acting so humane!
You're not even human.

Then what are we?

We're human-eating beasts, that's what!

Is it a sin for a fox to eat a chicken?

Don't make me regret saving you.

k*ll me or save me,
you'll regret either way.

We're through!

I dump him and he drops me like this?

You're the only one I've got, now.

You said women are safe from EV.

Your blood is completely mixed with mine.

Then, I'm no longer a woman?

Hold on.

I'll get a doctor.

Hello?

How do you feel...

Tae-ju...

What day is it today?

The eyes are so telling.

They can express everything
between yes and no.

What good is just a yes or no?

You need a subject and verb
to communicate.

The subject is what's being stared at.

If you stare at something
for over 4 seconds

others will automatically turn to look, too.

Is that a published theory?

Haven't had the chance yet.

I'm an expert at reading the eyes
after 2 years of marriage.

- That's why her Korean's not improving.
- Can you tell what mom's saying?

That's what I'm talking about!
Tae-ju just saw me peek over at Mrs. Ra.

She knew what I was going to say,
before I said it.

By glancing at my eyes.

Mrs. Ra said I'd win if I took this piece.

And that she wants some Vodka.
Vodka!

I win!

Closed. Self draw, bonus 3 points.
Big three dragons!

See that?

Thank you, Mrs. Ra.

You want to play, that bad?

How about teaming her up with Evelyn?

If you blink, it means "yes".

A long blink means "no". OK?

Blink if you understand.

Throw it away.

Mrs. Ra is back!

Evelyn? Vodka.

"D".

"D", what?

You can move your finger, mom?

What's wrong with your nail?

"L". It's another letter!

What?

"L, D"

- Or "D, L"?
- "D" comes last, "LD".

Maybe she wants the "LCD" on?

There's probably a "C" somewhere.

"C"...

Found it!

- "K"!
- "K"?

"LDK"?

Ladies Delaying. k*lling the game.

"D" comes last! "KLD"!

Mrs. Ra, it's "DKL", right?

She says, no.

"KLD"? "k*lled"?

Am I right?

See? It's "k*lled"!

Whatever, let's keep the game alive.
Whose turn is it?

k*lled who?

Mahjong brings back
memories of Kang-woo?

Mom, it's not your fault.

He didn't die because of you.

Stop playing and go to bed.

Tae-ju's so strong!

Stop torturing yourself.
Look at me, Mrs. Ra.

It was an accident.
No one k*lled Kang-woo.

It's not like
Tae-ju and Sang-hyun k*lled...

Selfish humans.

b*stards coming to play Mahjong
with a grieving family.

What?

Why, you little sh*t.

I'm leaving,
because sh*t smells not scares.

Honey! No!

Oh, Young-du.

Young-du!

Stop it.

You easy blood drinking coward.

It's because he's dead
and the heart's stopped pumping.

Cut off the ankles and...

hang them over the bathtub
and let gravity do the rest

We can put the blood in a Tupperware
and keep it in the fridge.

I thought of using a motor pump,
but this works best.

Sucking a little
and throwing the body away is...

..treating life too lightly, isn't it?

Evelyn.

How could I have made
all those Kimbaps without you?

It's over now.

Happy?

Tae-ju, listen to me carefully.

Why do I have to run away?

From my own house?

Won't they search the house
when they find the 4 people missing?

They'll come in here
without dusting off their shoes?

Search the house, open the cabinet
and open the curtains.

Then we'll die?

What are you doing?

You already had your fill.

Where are we going?

Where are you going?

The sun's coming up!

Didn't you have your fill from Evelyn?

I wanted to live with you forever and ever.

Together again in hell then.

When you're dead,
you're dead.

It's been fun, Father.