Just like anyone else, I come from a country (Ireland) with historical scars that refuse to completely fade away. The sad fact is that these days my connection with my home is tenuous at best. Nevertheless, as we approach the centenary following the Easter Rising of 1916, this terrible event that saw a group a passionate Irishman stand up to their English oppressors, only to be brutally suppressed, is still an indelible part of who I am.
My grandmother (who recently died aged 100) was only four when it happened. It should be ancient history for me: a bygone event that took place in a country I didn't spend much of my youth in and that I don’t easily identify with. Yet somehow, I feel a sense of solidarity with those young men (and a few women) who stood up to an unvanquishable foe in the name of what they felt was right.
Crowd-funded with small contributions from over 15,000 donors, 26 Years was a triumph at the box office, and one that opened up more than a few wounds for the almost three million locals who saw it. After a brief opening in the present (actually 2006), the film quickly goes back to that day in May 1980. A 10-minute animated sequence unfolds which shows us the fate of the father, mother and sister of our trio of central characters. The drawn images are brutal and harrowing. The decision to animate this part of the film is an effective one reminiscent of Persepolis (2007), Waltz With Bashir (2008) but also the recent King of Pigs (2011).
The pressing weight of contemporary Korean history lends a potent gravity to the film while the project’s stylish trimmings and youthful energy invigorate it. Debut director Jo Keun-hyung, with a big helping hand from producer Cho Young-bae, produces a taut thriller that simmers along on the currents of recent history. Angry but focused, the film seeks one thing: an apology. Though in its’ absence, it will settle for retribution.
Chun Doo-hwan was tried, convicted and sentenced to death for his part in the massacre, during which up to 2,000 civilians were shot or beaten to death by the military. He never apologized for his crimes and his sentence was subsequently commuted by President Kim Young-sam. Unsurprisingly, many are still bitter as he idles away his remaining days in a big house under armed guard.
As far as revenge narratives go, it’s hard to top this one, as many local viewers will have a personal stake in the fate of the target. Unlike the similarly incendiary National Security from Chung Ji-young (released around the same time), this work doesn’t really set out to explore the possibility of forgiveness or redemption. Rather, it’s a fantastical narrative that pits spectators against their long-held traumas.
Performances throughout are strong, Jin Goo has a kinetic energy as the edgy gangster while supporting players like Lee Kyoung-young and Bae Soo-bin add suitable gravitas to the proceedings. However, as the ex-President, Gwang Jang steals the show. Following an equally terrifying role in 2011’s Silenced and a great supporting turn in last year’s Masquerade, former animation voice actor Gwang brings the former dictator to life as a fiercely menacing and apathetic figure.
I should offer a minor spoiler warning for what’s coming so please skip down to the next paragraph if you so wish. When the assassins finally descend on former president Chun’s complex in a riveting, intense and protracted sequence, the filmmakers easily toy with our expectations. Chun is very much alive and well and so killing him on screen, given many Korean citizen’s feelings towards him, is a dangerous proposition. You never really expect it to happen but the former dictator does find himself in a good half dozen situations where he is an inch from death, his life in the hands of a number of vengeful protagonists. The only problem is that they play this trick one too many times, the tension gradually subsiding with each subsequent brush with death.
Daring and powerful, 26 Years is one of Korean Cinema’s most direct confrontations with its traumatic history. The film grabs you from the outset and never lets go: propelled by bold revisionism and its harnessing of a nation’s outrage. While it may not feature the intricate and subtle artistry of works such as Lee Chang-dong’s Peppermint Candy (1999) or Bong Joon-ho’s Memories of Murder (2003), Jo Keun-hyung’s searing feature debut nevertheless makes for thrilling viewing.
★★★★☆
Just finished watching this one. Was surprised with how good it actually was, I thought it was excellent. Gotta watch May 18 and Peppermint Candy now.
ReplyDeleteI had the same feeling. I had pretty low expectations since the film is pretty much unheard of compared to most other Korean films. But I actually really liked it and thought it is too bad that it hasn't received much attention outside of Korea. I actually lived in Korea during the time of its release but still only heard of it just a few weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteI also love both Peppermint Candy and Memories of Murder.
Thanks for writing this review
Erm who died?? Was it the woman shooter or the man thug cuz i watched this movie and i am confused as hell.
ReplyDeleteAll ik is that the one whose sister died survived as well as the former president. Still proper confused tho.
She died motorcade at end...all are protecting
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i think the film purposely does not disclose whether the assassination attempt was successful, because the real-life former president is still alive, (or at least at the time of the film release, but not sure about now). It does leave the audience wanting more justice, so it's the goal of the film anyway.
ReplyDeleteThe film is frustrating, I should've never watched it. The end is annoying as it's a lot of drama and no ending.
ReplyDeleteThe end is ambiguous on purpose, since the real-life president is still alive. If the movie had decisively killed or left the president alive, the public would be outraged
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