After the Armistice was signed in 1954 the two sides and the United Nations built in Panmumjom an 800 meter diameter Joint Security Area. The border between the Koreas is considered to be the most heavily guarded in the world. North and South Korea are still technically at war.
May I begin with a few quotes from the actors themselves?
Song Kang-Ho (plays Sgt Oh Kyeong-Pil) :“ This was not just a politically challenging film…The division between the North and South, their HUMAN story is told…I can proudly say this…aside from the political and social aspect, come out for the film aspect of it all!”
Lee Byung-Hun (plays Sgt Lee Soo-Hyuk): (about the character he plays) “Sgt Soo-Hyuk...represents your current everyday young man that is unaware of the reality that goes on with the division. He is a very curious young man and through that curiosity the film unfolds layers which leads to the shootout at the border…Ultimately he becomes a victim of that division. …Hopefully this film will make it a little more clear as to what goes on in the JSA between the North and South.”
Shin Ha-Kyun (plays Pvt. Jeong Woo-Jin): “I think this movie 'JSA' is…not quite refreshing like a glass of orange juice but more like fruit punch or fermented rice drink for their depth in flavor. You’ll be able to feel a lot from this film. It’s safe to say you won’t be sorry.”
Indeed, after the third viewing of ‘JSA’ I am not sorry. What a great movie. And what a great STORY!!!
Some images that stuck with me:(in order of appearance)
- The owl in the opening as it flies upward towards the moon.
- The sound of the bullet coupled with the beam of light pouring through the bullet hole in the building.
- All the shots and activity that took place on ‘The Bridge of no Return”.
- The billboard at the entrance to North Korea, “Rice is Communism”.
- The dancing stuffed animals in the scene with Lee’s girlfriend.
- The entire episode that takes place at the JSA with the tourists and the baseball cap.
- The entire scene shot in the field, especially while Lee is on the mine.
- The entire scene shot in the winter snow where all the soldiers meet during the rabbit hunt.
- “Hey, your shadows crossing over the line, better watch it…”
- The look of shock in Jeong’s face when he and Oh open the door to Lee on his first visit to their place.
- When Oh says his hope is that “One day our republic will make the best damn sweets, until then all I can do is dream of these Coco Pies,” as he devours one with a smile.
- Come to think of it, EVERY smile that came from Oh melted me.
- And oh yeah, EVERY shot of the puppy.
- The four friends playing like gleeful children outside in the moonlight.
- When Oh and Lee are being interrogated together in the blue building.
- When Sophie asks Oh if he has a message for Lee and he walks towards her whistling (as he did in the field) and gives her the lighter.
- The sadness that struck my heart when I realized (along with Sophie) that Lee was going to kill himself.
- The final flashback to the ‘hat’ incident and the still photo of the four of them.
If you enjoyed ‘JSA’ as much as I did I suggest you check out more films by this talented director, Park Chan-wook.
The last time a film involving war affected me this powerfully, DNA ,DNA,DNA , was way way back with 'Apocalypse Now' (and to some extent 'Deer Hunter'...) I look forward to hearing your reactions.
