A man walks a tightrope for money to extend his sister′s life, but she wishes for death, tired of fighting disease. One wonders at the significance of his stunt. He once again attempts it, taking a serum capable of ′showing off his true desire.′ Amanita Muscaria draws a confrontation between religion and narcotics, prayer and desire as it questions the spiritless nature of human beings, unable to distinguish one′s own truth from reckless beliefs. The acrobat may think he knows the truth, yet his sincere wish only appears with the aid of earnest prayer, or narcotics. These are tragic conditions for our existence. Black-and-white cinematography brings out the subject′s hopelessness as he questions the restraining of human beings. As the acrobat reclines against his sister upon completion of his death-defying stunt, we recognize our inability to understand the outcome, even as we see whose reality is in effect. (Cho Young-Jung)