A little note*
Much thanks to Korean Film Festival 2015 for the kind invitation to the opening ceremony and film.
Review: Shar
Photos: Kelly & Jessica
Editor: Tiffany
~Tiffany @ Seoul Rhythms~
Opening Ceremony
The grand opening ceremony of the annual Korean Film Festival in Singapore was held on the 23 October 2015 at the Shaw Lido Theatres. The media, sponsors, fans and public were invited to the opening ceremony and watch the opening film of the year, Northern Limit Line.
In his opening speech, the Korean ambassador to Singapore, Mr Suh Chung-ha spoke about the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Korea. In congratulating the commencement of yet great year in the Korean Film Festival, he noted that Korean movies have matured over the years, gaining more popularity and exposure overseas. Guest-of-Honor, veteran local film maker, Mr. Eric Khoo spoke briefly about his involvement in the Korean movie industry. His first full-length movie, ‘The Mee Pok Man’ won prizes at the 1st Pusan Film Festival in 1996, including the Best New Asian Director.
It was indeed befitting that Mr Eric Khoo should be the guest of honor at the Korean Film Festival 2015.
Northern Limit Line- A Review
Looking at the movie title, Northern Limit Line, most non-Koreans will not understand the significance of it. The northern limit line refers to the demarcation between North and South Korea at sea- much like the DMTZ. However, whilst both countries have agreed about the line indicated by the DMTZ, the North Korea has insisted that the marine separation line is much further south. If you read the synopsis, you will probably think that it is the usual North and South Korea war movie. However, it proved otherwise, and along the way, a precious, forgotten, unknown-to-many history lesson is revealed to the audience.
The movie kicked off in a slightly casually tone which eased the tension of war that will happen eventually. It took time to introduce the different characters and in the midst, gave the audience some laughter and heartwarming scenes (among the blood-related families as well as the Navy soldiers who were with one another practically 24/7). However, it did not forget its main focus is a war that may happen anytime. Drills were held any time of the day, whether during rest or meal time, making sure that the soldiers were alert at all times.
I felt that the movie was well-done with the gradual introduction of the various different characters. I didn’t realize how invested I had become in the movie until we get to the war segment. Its aftermath hit me right in the heart and made me realize how emotionally attached I had become to the story and the 25 warriors who fought with their lives during the war.
Special mentions to Kim Mu-yeol and Jin Goo who played Lieutenant Commander, Yoon Young-ha, and Chief Helmsman, Han Sang-gook, respectively. Both veteran actors did a splendid job portraying the real-life characters who were among the six heroes that sacrificed their lives in the war, or I should say, a surprise attack by the North Koreans. Both characters were so starkly different and similar at the same time. One subtler in conveying emotions while the other so outwardly affectionate towards his subordinates/ brothers, but both so fiercely patriotic in the same way how they want to protect the country as well as their battle mates. I could still vividly remember the scene of Yoon grabbing on to Navy medic, Park Dong-hyuk’s (played by Lee Hyun-woo) shirt in his dying due to excess moments while still doing his best to give instructions to his team mates on how to fight heads on with the North Koreans at close distance in the Yellow Sea. And I literally burst into tears when the search team found Han’s body in the sunken Battleship 357, with his right hand tied to the helm of the ship, and one of the soldiers called out to Han in a voiceover that, “It’s time to go home.”
Many other actors in the film like Lee Hyun-woo and Kim Hee-jung (cameo as Park Dong-hyuk’s mother) did an equally great job portraying their characters, but Kim Mu-yeol and Jin Goo definitely stood out and were the core of the story. The movie would not have the same fire without them. They made me feel like they were the actual soldiers who went through the cruel battle.
Much thought and effort were made by Kim Hak-soon (director and co-producer) and his team in producing a movie as true and as realistically to the original event that happened on 29th June 2002 during the 2nd Battle of Yeonpyeong. The movie not only show us a group of loyal soldiers who battled with pride for their country, but it also how these soldiers are also just normal citizens and guys who want to cheer on the South Korean football team’s victory of entering the World Cup semi-finals. This allowed the audience to relate to them as common citizens.
With an outstanding cast, real-life footages taken in June 2009 and special interviews with the survivors at the end of the film, it is no wonder that the movies earned the huge resounding applause of the hundreds of audience at the end of the movie that night. It was indeed an outstanding movie to kickstart this year’s grand opening of the Korean Film Festival.
To be honest, when I first went into the movie theatre for the movie, I really didn’t know what to expect of it. Who would have thought that a war would have broken out at sea while South Korea was celebrating it’s football team entering the semi-finals in the FIFA World Cup 2002? I certainly didn’t and I am sure many others didn’t too. Many may have neglected or forgot about it because the achievement at the World Cup over shadowed the impact of the war which lasted for only 30 minutes. But it caused a fatal damage with the deaths of 6 young South Korean soldiers (with oldest 29 years old and youngest 21 years old) and 13 deaths on the North Korea end. The story has come to light again 13 years later but it has certainly left a deep impression on many and will not be easily forgotten.
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