# The Handmaiden

> 2016 film directed by Park Chan-wook

**Wikidata**: [Q20444585](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20444585)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Handmaiden)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-handmaiden

## Summary
The Handmaiden is a 2016 South Korean drama film directed by Park Chan-wook, classified as an erotic thriller and romance film with LGBTQ-related themes. It features music by Jo Yeong-wook and stars Kim Tae-ri, and won the CST Award of the Technical Artist at the Cannes Film Festival.

## Key Facts
- Release dates: Premiered May 14, 2016; released in South Korea June 1, 2016; additional international releases between October 2016 and August 2017.
- Production country: South Korea, a nation founded on August 15, 1948.
- Genres: Drama film, romance film, LGBTQ-related film, erotic thriller.
- Creative team: Directed by Park Chan-wook; music supervised by Jo Yeong-wook (South Korean Film Music Supervisor).
- Cast: Stars Kim Tae-ri (South Korean actress).
- Awards: Won the CST Award of the Technical Artist at Cannes Film Festival (established 2003).
- Official website: http://www.handmaidenmovie.com/
- Alternative titles: Agassi (Korean), 아가씨 (Hangul), Handmaiden, Agasshi, Mademoiselle.
- Notable recognition: 34 sitelinks across knowledge bases.

## FAQs
**What genres define The Handmaiden?**  
The Handmaiden is categorized as a drama film, romance film, LGBTQ-related film, and erotic thriller, blending psychological tension with intimate themes.

**When and where was The Handmaiden released?**  
It premiered at Cannes on May 14, 2016, and had a South Korean theatrical release on June 1, 2016, with subsequent releases in international markets from October 2016 through August 2017.

**Who are the key figures behind The Handmaiden?**  
The film was directed by Park Chan-wook, with music by Jo Yeong-wook and starring Kim Tae-ri in a leading role.

**What recognition has The Handmaiden received?**  
It won the CST Award of the Technical Artist at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival and maintains 34 sitelinks in knowledge bases.

**What alternate titles is The Handmaiden known by?**  
Its aliases include Agassi, 아가씨 (Korean Hangul), Handmaiden, Agasshi, and Mademoiselle.

## Why It Matters
The Handmaiden redefined South Korean cinema by seamlessly merging intricate psychological drama with taboo-breaking LGBTQ narratives and erotic thriller elements, particularly through its reversal of power dynamics between its female leads. Its technical craftsmanship, recognized by the Cannes Film Festival’s CST Award, set new standards for cinematography and sound design in international cinema. As a cultural export, it expanded global audiences’ exposure to Korean storytelling traditions while challenging conventional genre boundaries in LGBTQ representation.

## Notable For
- Pioneering fusion of LGBTQ themes and erotic thriller mechanics in mainstream Korean cinema.  
- Winning the CST Award of the Technical Artist at Cannes, the festival’s specialized technical honor.  
- Featuring Kim Tae-ri’s breakout performance, propelling her into international prominence.  
- Utilizing South Korea’s cinematic heritage to deconstruct Victorian-era narratives through a postmodern lens.  
- Achieving rare critical acclaim across horror, romance, and LGBTQ film circles with a single title.  

## Body  
### Production and Background  
The Handmaiden is a 2016 film originating from South Korea, the nation established on August 15, 1948. It operates within the film class—a sequence of movement-images stored on film stock. Park Chan-wook helmed the project, bringing a distinct South Korean perspective to its execution. The film’s production occurred against the backdrop of South Korea’s growing global film industry, leveraging its rich dramatic traditions.  

### Genre and Classification  
Categorized as a drama film (63 sitelinks) and romance film (55 sitelinks), the film extends into LGBTQ-related film territory (10 sitelinks), exploring themes of homosexuality and bisexuality. Its erotic thriller classification (16 sitelinks) places it alongside psychological thrillers with intense sensual stakes. This multi-genre approach positions The Handmaiden at the intersection of artistic and commercial cinema traditions.  

### Creative Personnel  
Jo Yeong-wook served as the Film Music Supervisor, with occupations including film composing and soundtracking. His work contributes to the film’s atmospheric tension. Kim Tae-ri, cast in a leading role, is a South Korean actress (citizenship: ) whose occupations span acting, modeling, and performance, with 22 knowledge-base sitelinks reflecting her rising prominence.  

### Release and Distribution  
The Handmaiden’s release timeline began with a May 14, 2016, premiere, followed by a June 1, 2016, South Korean debut. Subsequent regional releases occurred from October 21, 2016, through August 11, 2017, indicating a staggered international rollout. Its official website (http://www.handmaidenmovie.com/) serves as a central hub for promotional content.  

### Awards and Recognition  
The film secured the CST Award of the Technical Artist at the Cannes Film Festival, a technical honor established in 2003 (7 sitelinks). This award specifically recognizes excellence in craftsmanship, underscoring the film’s technical execution beyond its narrative achievements. The award’s country of origin,  (France), aligns with its Cannes debut.  

### Nomenclature and Branding  
The Handmaiden is recognized by multiple aliases: Agassi (Korean), 아가씨 (Hangul), Handmaiden, Agasshi, and Mademoiselle. This linguistic diversity reflects its cross-cultural marketing strategy. With 34 sitelinks across knowledge bases, it maintains a robust digital footprint, though no SEO data is currently available.  

### Cultural and Industry Impact  
As a South Korean production, it advances the country’s cinematic exports while challenging Western-dominated LGBTQ film tropes through localized storytelling. Its Cannes technical award bridges Korean and European film industries, highlighting international collaboration. The film’s exploration of queer themes within a romance framework expands representation in mainstream genres.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4016934/)
2. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=231299.html)
3. The Movie Database
4. Metacritic
5. The Handmaiden. Rotten Tomatoes
6. [Source](http://www.filmstarts.de/kritiken/231299.html)
7. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4016934/releaseinfo)
8. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/198182/terjesztett_filmalkotasok_art_filmek_nyilvantartasa.xlsx)
9. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4016934/releaseinfo)
10. The Handmaiden
11. BBC Things
12. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4016934/technical?ref_=tt_dt_spec)
13. [Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt4016934/)
14. [Source](http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/handmaiden-2016)
15. [Source](http://mkrf.ru/registr/detail.php?ID=185898527)
16. Google Knowledge Graph
17. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/index.php?id=26&i=259192)
18. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/the-handmaiden/)
19. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
20. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2016&s_month=8&e_year=2016&e_month=8&pageID=2)
21. [Source](http://www.cnc.fr/web/fr/rechercher-une-oeuvre/-/visa/145406)
22. Online-Filmdatenbank
23. [Source](http://justica.gov.br/noticias/classificacao-indicativa-divulga-faixa-etaria-de-filmes-que-entram-em-cartaz-na-semana-30)
24. Brazilian Advisory Rating System
25. [Source](http://infoicaa.mecd.es/CatalogoICAA/Peliculas/GetPdf?Pelicula=196416)
26. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=15343)
27. Bechdel Test Movie List
28. mymovies.it
29. [Source](https://www.glaad.org/files/2017_SRI.pdf)
30. [SensCritique](https://www.senscritique.com/liste/Vito_Russo_Test_Check/1603064)
31. [The 10 Best Asian LGBTQ Movies. Cinema Escapist](https://www.cinemaescapist.com/2019/06/best-asian-lgbt-movies/)
32. [Source](https://imdaonline.imda.gov.sg/classification/Search/Film/SearchDetail.aspx?sType=Feature&sRowID=AAAgZnAAAAAADSHAAA)
33. Danish Film Database
34. [Source](https://www.rcq.gouv.qc.ca/RCQ212AfficherFicheTech.asp?intNoFilm=402661)
35. [Source](http://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/0FC93E870035DF90)
36. TheTVDB
37. Trakt.tv
38. FilmVandaag.nl