Tuesday, February 10, 2009
"Joint Security Area" a Story of Betrayal
"Joint Security Area" directed by Chan-wook Park Is set in the post world war II country of Korea. Since the WWII the country has been ravaged by a brutal civil war between the North (communist), and the South (Democratic). In the de-militarized zone, or joint security two Northern soldiers are killed by a Southern soldier. This sparks an investigation to be conducted by neutral nations. It is interesting that the director of this movie chose to open with a scene of the events that lead to the investigation. Most of the movie occurs in flashback from both the point of view of the Norhtern soldier and the Swiss officer investigating the matter. As the story continues we discover as the investigator does that there is more to the story than the depositions from the witnesses admit. As her investigation continues the viewer learns with the character, until at the end we know the truth. As the story is explained you also get a glimpse into the internal struggles of the soldiers. Their conflicting allegence to their country and also to their new found friends, whom are supposed to be the enemy. However loyal to their respective sides the soldiers never explain why they are so ferociously loyal. It almost seems that it is accepted by both sides that the other is evil, perpetuated by war their feelings rely on grudges and hatred rather than thought or reason. This is reflective of the sentiments of the Korean people. More men die in war and instead of resolving the problem intelligently with diplomacy they respond with hatred. It is a reoccuring cycle that was broken when these soldiers became friends and reinforned again when they died. In the end nothing is solved and the country is still on the brink of civil war.
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The final point of your post was really interesting to me. Mainly how you say, "This is reflective of the sentiments of the Korean people. More men die in war and instead of resolving the problem intelligently with diplomacy they respond with hatred. It is a reoccuring cycle that was broken when these soldiers became friends and reinforned again when they died. In the end nothing is solved." I think this comment fully sums up how the ending of the movie connects to the intertwined theme. At first I thought the theme of the film was along the lines of negative political relationships between the two countries impeding on the relationships possible between Korean people. However, this is an underlying theme of the one you mention, based on an ever present, continuous cycle, that is broken in the film by the soldiers, but ultimately reoccurs in the end.
ReplyDeleteI think that the 4 friends acted in such a manner with a reason rather than just on loyalty to their respective countries. In the movie when the North Korean solider finds the 4 brothers, 2 of the brothers try to figure out a way to protect each other rather than to protect their loyalty. In the end when the North Korean solider insults the South Korean solider and proclaims his loyalty to his country, he did it to protect his South Korean friend rather than to prove his loyalty. At that moment, the South Korean solider seemed to have broken down and was almost about to tell the truth, which would have probably caused his death. To prevent this from happening, the North Korean solider made a move before anything else could happen. This seems to show more compassion toward his friend and thought behind his actions rather than loyalty to his country.
ReplyDeleteI agree you with you regarding the vicious cycle of war and death. That seems to be the main focus of the film- telling people that it is a war between the governments rather than the people.
ReplyDeleteThe soldiers' ferocious loyalty pretty much comes down to a mixture of patriotism and the military mindset, where everyone who isn't on your side is the enemy. It is interesting to see the internal conflict when they realize that soldiers on the other side are human too.
The final theme you mentioned is very meaningful. It was not clearly evident in the film and it is good that you brought it up. One part which I don't think should be mentioned is that nothing was resolved and that North and South Korea still had conflict. While it is definitely true, a reader who had not seen the film would not know such a thing and it probably isn't good in a movie review. I do like the part where you said that the soldiers never mentioned why they are so loyal, and that the reason they do such actions is because they believe they have to.
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ReplyDelete"However loyal to their respective sides the soldiers never explain why they are so ferociously loyal. It almost seems that it is accepted by both sides that the other is evil, perpetuated by war their feelings rely on grudges and hatred rather than thought or reason."
ReplyDeleteI think it's important to remember here that much bloodshed occurred in a civil war that divided one nation into two. The tensions remained high because the two countries directly border each other. This sort of insecurity is enough to maintain distrust of another nation, as evidenced also by the very unstable Middle East. Palestine and Jerusalem have been continuously at odds for years with the battles getting hotter or more peaceful depending on the diplomats present, but never truly ending.
I agree with your statement saying more men die in war and respond with hatred rather than resolving the problems intelligently. When the north korean officer came into their room while the 2 soliders form each side were conversing, all of them panicked and starting shooting the opposing side. Also, i thought it was interesting how loyal each soldier was to their country, and even to their so called "brothers." No one told the true story until the end, until Sophie actually figures the mystery. Overall all good and accurate film analysis
ReplyDeleteI agree when you said the cycle was broken when they became friends. The four friends knew that the situation was trivial and were able to overcome their differences. The rest of the soldiers however were not able to do this and the result led to three of the four friends dying.
ReplyDeleteI agree when you said the cycle was broken when they became friends. The four friends knew that the situation was trivial and were able to overcome their differences. The rest of the soldiers however were not able to do this and the result led to three of the four friends dying.
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