Joint Security Area is a Korean film about the conflict that ensues between North Korea and South Korea after two North Korean soldiers are found dead. Major Sophie from the Neutral Nations Supervisory Committee is sent to investigate the incident. What she finds out as the truth begins to unravel is that there is more to this incident then just a kidnapping or a simple shooting.
Joint Security Area definitely conveyed some nationalist themes, such as the contrast between tradition and modernity. After The Korean War in the 1950’s, North Korea and South Korea were two countries populated by members who despised each other. During this movie, made in 2000, soldiers are seen trying to overstep this bond of hatred and enjoy each other as brothers. They are trying to overcome the decades old idea that they must hate each other. The movie also seems a critique on the social situation of the day; it seems to make fun of how important each side hating the other had become. For example, the scene when the two soldiers, one from each side, were guarding the boarder and one soldier told the other that his “shadow was over the line.” That is just a ridiculous notion, and yet representative of how the two countries acted towards each other.
Although this film contains many nationalist themes, I believe it could also be seen as a global film. First off I found it fascinating that much of the movie was conducted in English, especially in the interaction of Major Sophie and the other Swiss and Swedish members of the NNSC. It shows how English has really become an international language. Secondly, I think this film can relate to many countries that have found themselves in the aftermath of a civil war. One of the big elements of this that other countries I believe could relate to is competition in the production of goods. This is seen with the moon pies; the Northern soldiers loved the moon pies and hoped someday to be known for making the best sweets on the peninsula. This emotion is felt not just between two sides of one country around the world today, but between two separate countries competing for customers of the same good.
One of the big elements of mise-en-scene used by the director Park Chan-wook was lighting. There was a lot of dark lighting and shadows used to convey the secrecy and the lies that occurred all throughout the movie. One example of this is the shadows cast upon Major Sophie and Sgt. Lee Soo-hyeok when she is trying to ask him about his deposition. The lighting plays a large part in the viewer’s understanding of the film.
-Marshall Anne Caswell
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You mentioned the scene where one soldier's shadow was over the line. I also was a little perplexed when I saw this scene, especially since the accused soldier actually took a step back. However, as the movie progressed and I understood that the northern and southern soldiers were becoming friends, I suspected (but could not remember) that it was them, just joking around. This would make more sense to me, at least. Also, with regards to the lighting, I agree that the darkness symbolized the lies and deceit that were occurring under cover of night, but also keep in mind there were also scenes that were well-lit, and these were the scenes where those lies were being uncovered by the detective. Thus, the light and dark played key roles as opposing forces within the film.
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting aspect of borders was shown in the film. The South Korean soldiers were more willing to cross borders and accept new ideas, where the Northern soldiers were not. This may be an attempt by the director to point out that, even though both countries desire reconciliation, some are less willing to work for it. This is a good review in that many ideas expressed in the movie were addressed!
ReplyDeleteI agree this film has an overall purpose of mocking the whole situation between North and South Korea; it serves to explain to viewers that they should consider each other as brothers and not enemies. Also isn’t it more of a logical fallacy that Swedish/Swiss personnel were speaking in English? I also found it interesting how you saw the moon pies as business competition. I thought of them more as a way of showing how truly different life styles between these two "countries" are. I have to agree with you on the use of lighting. The shadow lighting seemed to covey as if they were hiding something, the idea that they were truly friend with each other. Overall, good job in addressing some key points.
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you hit on the English dialogue in this film. I agree that this helps to make a more global film and it also shows that English is becoming such an international language. I really like your review and I think you had some really good ideas.
ReplyDeleteAlthough you cover the main components of a film review for this class(plot briefing, themes, global perspective, and cinematography), the writing style is a bit choppy - it reads more like an essay than a film review. For instance, the second two sentences in the first paragraph about Major Sophie are unnecessary when describing the plot premise. Instead of having this extraneous information, which might be necessary in a longer essay piece, you could try to incorporate the genre and feeling for the film in the first paragraph.
ReplyDeleteIn the second paragraph, the usage of the word 'themes' struck me. I expected you to mention them, but not formally tell me what you are doing. Also, it is hard to say what people thought during the 1950s, if the two Koreas despised one another or not. I would avoid such affirmations; as the movie demonstrated, some assumptions of national sentiment are unfounded.
I agree that the film did have global elements, and the moon pie comment was especially keen. I think I got the gist of what you were saying with the lighting, but you might want to go more in depth about it to get your point across better.
In conclusion, besides stylistic errors, your film review did a fine job!