At a floating monastery on a placid lake, an older monk (Oh) teaches the Buddhist way of life to a young boy, whose maturation is reflected in the passing of the seasons, and the different life stages which accompany each. Years later, after a sojourn in the outside world clouded by lust and violence, the boy — now a jaded young man (Ki-duk Kim) — returns seeking shelter from the law, only to find unexpected redemption.

A film that evokes a striking visual and spiritual purity, Korean director Ki-duk Kim's "Spring, Summer" is ideal for those seeking a profound contemplative movie experience. Yet the film is by no means heavy-going; in fact, its simplicity and spare beauty create a soothing entrancing effect. On a deeper level we sense universal forces at work in the tale of the enlightened monk and his wayward acolyte, with the passage of time reflecting a continual cycle of pre-destined occurrences that traverse good and evil, innocence and cruelty. Arresting and unusual, Kim's "Spring" is a cinematic balm for the soul and the senses.