Joint Security Area

[alexandral]

I have watched “Join Security Area” this weekend, the film of critically acclaimed Korean director Chan-wook Park. It is very different from his later created famous Vengeance trilogy (“Sympathy for Mister Vengeance“, “Oldboy” and “Lady vengeance”) but at the same time you can clearly feel the same theme of exploring ultimate results of human emotions there. “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance” was probably THE most shocking film I have ever seen and “Oldboy” is only second because I went to watch it already prepared. JSA is not a shocker, nor it is full of violence, it starts and moves almost quietly, almost like a theatrical play, but it gathers momentum as it goes, on emotional and visual level.

StoryThe border between North Korea/South Korea: In the remote North Korean military post two North Korean Soldiers are killed and one injured by a South Korean soldier. Two sides have two completely different stories to tell and it doesn’t take long for every word to be questioned. Sounds like a whodunit? And it starts like one indeed, but it ends up being a Shakespearean-like tragedy. Chan-wook Park is an Asian master of Shakespearean tragedy, I think. :D Film has male friendship that is larger then life, a nation that is divided and in a war with itself, spilled blood and angst.

On a personal level I felt very touched by the story of divided Korean nation as being told in the film. I know this is something that I knew from the time I was a child – there is North Korea and South Korea. But what it is for Korean people? I never thought about this seriously before.

The verdict? I liked it very much indeed and would recommend this film wholeheartedly.

Actors Two main leads, Lee Byung Hun and Song Kang Ho make this movie to be what it is. I have seen and noticed Song Kang Ho before, but Lee Byung Hun is a new name for me (And I liked him enough to start looking for his pictures/films/dramas obsessively). I would love any recommendations!!!

Small pictural evidence of Lee Byung Hun’s great qualities:
















This film with Lee Byung Hun I really want to see, A Bittersweet Life, also starring Shin Min Ah (from A Love to Kill)








PSCross-posted in korean_cinema, Here

Comments

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

This movie looks very interesting - I will most definitely note it down.

And it is good to hear that this film is different from "Oldboy" - because even if I liked that it was not a comfortable viewing experience and at times it nearly lost me with all the crazyness.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I liked that it was not a comfortable viewing experience and at times it nearly lost me with all the crazyness.

I know!! But I totally loved it for it's originality and crazy qualities of the main lead, though thinking more I prefer "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" . Mr. Vengeance's plot is just so strong and moving, without going overboard with drama-like brother/sister relationships.

But yep, Joint Security Area is a different story altogether, if anything for some reason it reminds me WW2 films.

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

Joint Security Area is a different story altogether, if anything for some reason it reminds me WW2 films.

Ooo - well I do like my WW2 films so that sounds excellent to me.

And on a sidenote I must say that I have become very attached to this Marc Antony icon. He is by no means my favorite character - but there is just something with the glare in this picture. me likes. :D

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I really liked that moment - Marc Antony was sitting on a bench thinking (visibly) – “Am I going to die in the next 5 minutes?” and he was getting VERY ANGRY. And when he killed Quintus I for the first time thought “OMPH! I like this guy so much!!”

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

Hee! I know!And it was the casual way he did it - so swift an elegant. Purfoy did an excellent job with that scene. Also, there was some satisfaction in seeing Quintus die.

Eee! I'm so glad Rome is back. I predict many more cool moments - as well as moments of utter heartbreak!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Hee! I am already anticipating who is going to be the next pairing for Vorenus. :D

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

Really? Any theories? *g*

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I hope they will bring someone new. I am a shallow OTP girl. :D