Korea continues to dominate the cinema world at the moment in terms of incisive direction, imagination and strength of narrative. However, Tomorrow deviates from that trend in being a re-working of the classic John Woo movie A Better Tomorrow.

Director Song Hae-sung apparently refused when first approached to make the movie because he didn't feel he could match up to the original - but the idea slowly took a grip on him.

Underlying the strength of the film's narrative is the country's enduring tragedy - the separation of the south from the north. The criminal gang at the heart of the story is centred on a group of North Korean refugees and defectors who have found the south isn't the golden land of milk and honey that they'd hoped for.

The lead character Hyeok is full of guilt for having abandoned his family up north and for the life he has chosen to lead as part of the Busan crime syndicate. Eventually, an opportunity emerges for his brother to also cross the border but it's not a happy family reunion as Hyeok finds his family is ashamed of what he has become and his brother has been sent to kill him as a matter of honour.

The film's strength lies in the depth of characterisation of the supporting players, each of whom has their own tale to tell - and in the breadth of the narrative arc which lasts for three years and sees each of the characters develop in different ways.

Well worth a look-see.