Joint Security Area

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Matthew D Park Chan-wook envisions a world wherein North and South Korea could be peaceful. Legendary director Park Chan-wook’s South Korean mystery thriller Joint Security Area (2000) is beautiful and intriguing. Director Park’s visuals are innovative, his story is touching, his mystery is complex, and his characters are thoughtful. Joint Security Area is easily the most intricate and poignant film ever made about the North and South Korean border. I was initially curious as to the mystery with all its clues and details, then I was surprisingly tearful by the end because the characters are so well written and acted. Writers Jeong Seong-san, Kim Hyun-seok, Park Chan-wook, and Lee Mu-yeong deliver interesting, funny, moving, and sensitive dialogue for both the North Korean soldiers as well as the South Korean soldiers. The original writer Sang-yeon Park created such a fascinating story about the unlikely soldiers finding common ground as men. The mystery about shots being fired at the North-South Korean border with differing stories from the soldiers, so an independent detective officer has to intermediate the real story is interesting on its own. Park Chan-wook’s perspective feels intimate and humanist with a real sympathy for both sides. It feels like director Park wants to see a peaceful future for his beloved country of South Korea as well as having consideration for the starving poor people of North Korea. I highly recommend checking out Joint Security Area for something completely different than you’re used to seeing. Song Kang-ho is hilarious and hardened as the North Korean Sergeant Oh Kyeong-pil. His character softening up and being a true friend is gripping. He’s very charming and entertaining to watch as usual with a fiercely dynamic lead role. Lee Byung-hun is fascinating as the strange and cautious South Korean Sergeant Lee Soo-hyeok. His playful and charming performance is equally impressive for his range. He’s very powerful and intense. Lee Young-ae is adorable, captivating, and intriguing as Major Sophie E. Jean, who is brought in to figure out the truth between all the lies. Young-ae is amazing as she’s attentive, considerate, cunning, and brave all as she investigates. I found her very engaging much like she was in her iconic lead role in Sympathy for Lady Vengeance. Kim Tae-woo is excellent as the nervous and uncertain South Korean Private Nam Sung-sik, who is always frightened. Shin Ha-kyun is very entertaining as the amiable North Korean Private Jung Woo-jin, who loves to draw and take care of his dog. Christoph Hofrichter is stern, but honest as the neutral Major General Bruno Botta. He’s just trying to keep the status quo of peace between nations. Herbert Ulrich is solid as the curious Swedish Captain Persson, who is in over his head. Editor Kim Sang-bum’s striking cuts effortlessly switch between the present case and the past actions of the soldiers. Cinematographer Kim Sung-bok shoots mesmerizing and emotional close-up shots of each soldier to get their perspective. The upside down shots are really cool and striking. I loved all the wide shots of vast fields, deep forests, isolated outposts, and the lone bridge as the Demilitarized Zone. The shadowy lighting by Lim Jae-young is outstanding. Production designer Kim Sang-man’s simple and effective sets for the border are great. Set decorations from Oh Sang-man add a surprisingly cozy element to Joint Security Area. Composers Bang Jun-seok and Cho Young-wuk’s emotional film score has lovely melodies. I like the serene atmosphere they craft with music. Sound designers Kim Won-yong and Kim Suk-won create quiet nights and amiable gatherings with equal grace. Costume designer Park Sang-hoon’s various military uniforms look sharp. Makeup artists Shin Jae-ho and Song Jong-hee do great wounds and scars. In the end, Joint Security Area is an enthralling mystery for 108 minutes with delightful characters. Park Chan-wook’s first masterpiece of cinema Joint Security Area has aged well on its 25th anniversary today! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/12/25 Full Review Dick C It's a well planned scripts with everlasting conflicts... Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/01/24 Full Review Steve C The movie posters make the film appear more serious than it actually is. Something is missing or off about the film. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/29/24 Full Review Online A Sensationally powerful without being sappy. Nearly a masterpiece. One of the most important movies I've seen. A promotion of humanity. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/31/24 Full Review John S A thrilling, gut punch of a movie. Showing the true senselessness of war, the strength of friendship, sacrifice in the face of evil, the true enormity of loss. The moral: though we have our differences, there is more that we share in common. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/04/23 Full Review Ellie B Really great parts but the ending was slightly underwhelming Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/23/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Joint Security Area

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