At a time when more and more movie audiences seem to be looking for something a little deeper than bathroom humor or blood-and-guts thrillers, the exquisitely beautiful Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter ... and Spring is a breath of fresh air.

This drama about the passion of the human spirit and learning acceptance was Korea’s 2004 Academy Award entry for Best Foreign Film and has garnered numerous other awards from film festivals around the world. The film is set in a tiny Buddhist monastery that floats on a raft in Jusan Pond in Korea’s North Kyungsang Province.

Director KIM Ki-duk chose the perfect location for Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter ... and Spring. Along with picturesque surrounding mountains reflected in the still waters, a reverent solitude and the spiritual aura of the trees immediately draw  the moviegoer into this five-segment story -- each segment representing the different stages in a man's life.

As Spring unfolds with chirping birds and the peaceful rushing water of winter’s thaw, Old Monk (OH Young-soo) teaches his protégé Child Monk (KIM Jong-ho) lessons about life and himself. When Child Monk plays a cruel trick on some of the animals he finds on the near-by shore, Old Monk observes unseen, knowing that the child will realize only too soon a deep sorrow spawned by his cruel gestures.

Old Monk and Boy Monk (SEO Jae-kyung), now 17, welcome the warm sunshine of Summer. When a spiritually ill young woman (HAY Eo-jin) arrives for guidance, she arouses sexual desires in Boy Monk. When Old Monk discovers the couple’s lust has been consummated (scenes for adults only), he sends the girl away. Boy Monk is so besotted by her he leaves the monastery.

Many Falls later, Young Adult Monk (KIM Young-Min) returns to the raft, fleeing justice for a crime he committed. Old Monk dishes out what he believes is a proper punishment, but not before policemen arrive to take Young Adult Monk away.

Feeling somehow that he did not do right by Child Monk, Old Monk sets about to relieve his own conscience and atone for his wrong. His actions are as cold and stark as the frigid ice about to capture the lake in a frozen wonderland.

When Adult Monk returns during the Winter, he is saddened by being alone at the monastery, but not for long. A veiled woman, who appears to be suffering emotionally, arrives with a small child and leaves it for Adult Monk to take care of. As one season moves into the next, so does the circle of life, and with the rebirth of Spring, Adult Monk understands his destiny.

There is little dialogue in this sub-titled film, but not many words are needed here. All of  the actors easily capture every emotion – happy or sad – that fuels their journey.

“I intended to portray the joy, anger, sorrow and pleasure of our lives through four seasons,” said KIM Ki-duk, a visionary Korean filmmaker who also wrote A Painter and A Criminal Condemned to Death as well as nine other films.

Amazingly, although KIM Ki-duk uses a sparse set and only a few props, he manages to convey a profound understanding as his film reveals truths about hope, love, sin and rebirth.

(Released by Sony Pictures Classics and rated “R” for some strong sexuality.)