CULTURE
Over the next few months, a number of political films will hit screens as the political climate continues to evolve. The Korean film industry produces an array of films each year and as such many have tackled local politics.
Politics has been at the forefront of local news coverage in recent months following the so-called Choi Soon-sil scandal that led to the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye. This is undoubtedly set to continue with presidential elections slated to take place on May 9, possibly ushering in a new era given the likelihood of a liberal candidate being elected.
Over the next few months, a number of political films will hit screens as the political climate continues to evolve. But, in many ways this is not new. The Korean film industry produces an array of films each year and as such many have tackled local politics, including Woo Min-ho’s political thriller and smash hit “Inside Men” (2015). Last year Lee Kyoung-mi’s daring “The Truth Beneath” approached politics differently looking at the effects political ambitions have on one’s family.
Even Yeon Sang-ho’s blockbuster hit “Train to Busan” included both social and political critiques. Indeed, Bong Joon-ho is renowned for such an approach to his films such as “The Host” (2006) and “Memories of Murder” (2003).
But it is also smaller independent films that tackle this issue head on. Last October, politically charged documentaries “Spy Nation” that documents North Korean defectors falsely accused of being spies, and “Moo-Hyun, the Story of Two Cities” about the former late President Roh Moo-hyun both struck a chord with audiences accumulating 143,923 and 193,577 admissions, respectively.
Rather notably, the 1980s is the setting of a number of iconic films dealing with politics including Bong Joon-ho’s masterpiece “Memories of Murder” (2003), Park Kwang-su’s “Chilsu and Mansu” set in the then-present day of 1988, and Lee Chang-dong’s “A Peppermint Candy” (1999), which in reverse chronology goes back to this turbulent decade.
Under the rule of Chun Doo-hwan (1980-88), which followed Park Chung-hee’s autocratic presidency (1961-79) that saw Korea’s economy grow exponentially, citizens, including a vast number of university students, rallied against Chun’s military regime that culminated in mass protests in June 1987. This paved the way for democratic elections in December 1987 when Roh Tae-woo was elected as president.
It is interesting then, although not all that surprising that the 1980s is to form the backdrop of a handful of Korean films to be released over the next year.
“Ordinary Person” directed by Kim Bong-han released on March 23 is set in the spring of 1987 about a detective named Seong-jin (Son Hyun-joo) from a major crimes unit who is ordered by the chief of the Agency of National Security Planning (Jang Hyeok) to fabricate evidence relating to a serial murder case.
Akin to “Memories of Murder” the film reveals how the police during this period were more equipped to use force and suppress than properly investigate.
Meanwhile, Jae-jin (Kim Sang-ho), a journalist and friend of the detective sees himself as an “ordinary person” as he seeks the truth. But he is forced on the run from the authorities and ends up being tortured and then killed.
Underscoring the importance of democracy and freedom of the press, the well-orchestrated film is released close to 30 years after the protests it depicts in the film. Yet audiences will inevitably see close parallels to recent events including the peaceful protests that led to the removal of the nation’s former president.
Released this summer is Jang Hun’s “Taxi Driver” starring Song Kang-ho set in May 1980 during the Gwangju uprising when students and civilian protests were brutally suppressed by the Korean military as the city came under martial law.
Song plays a taxi driver who takes a German journalist played by Thomas Kretschmann into Gwangju to cover the uprising and ensure it is covered in the international press.
Next month, Jang Joon-hwan’s (“Save the Green Planet”) new film titled “1987” is expected to go into production. Featuring an A-list cast including Kim Yun-seok and Ha Jung-woo, the film as the title suggests is set in 1987 and is based on the true story of linguistics student and activist Park Jong-chul who was tortured and killed in January 1987.The film follows how university students and the media attempted to reveal the truth behind his death. The film is likely to be released either towards the end of this year, or in 2018.
Not set in the 1980s, but released in April just weeks prior to the presidential election is Park In-je’s “The Mayor” about a Seoul mayor played by Choi Min-sik seeking a third term.
Also starring Kwak Do-won, Shim Eun-kyung, Ra Mi-ran, Moon So-ri and Ryu Hye-young, it has a stellar cast that appears to shed light on electoral politics as citizens themselves will be thinking about who they would like to see as their next president.