Lee Byung-Hun, Lee Young Ae and So Kang-Ho as the film's main leads. Does it look like the hero, villain and fair maiden? Can't be further from the truth....
I've been catching up on a few Korean (ie. South Korean) films lately. These include some of the horror ones, like R-Point, and some of the action thrillers, like The Chaser - both of which were quite highly rated. Suffice to say that Korean films in general are of very high production quality, well scripted, and nearly on par with Hollywood.
Joint Security Area (JSA) is not a horror film, nor is it exactly an action vehicle. Released at the turn of the millenium (2000), it is not a new film either, and does not really boast the best production value - though it is still very good - as is already typical of South Korean films.
I could call it a military thriller - its premise almost a mirror image to Hollywood's Courage Under Fire - except the story and conclusion to JSA has to be infinitely better, as only a tale of two Koreas could be.
Joint Security Area is quite simply the best film of its genre. But then we would have to redefine its genre, because to call JSA a military thriller is akin to calling the former WTC Twin Towers in New York ex-buildings.
A shooting incident in a North Korean border house at the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea leaves two North Korean soldiers dead and implicates a South Korean soldier who had escaped from the said border house.
To avoid an already fragile relationship between the North and South escalating into violence, a Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission is called in to investigate and arbitrate a solution. Leading the commission is Major Sophie, a Swiss national of Korean heritage. As she delves deeper into the case, wading through the conflicting accounts from both sides of the border, she discovers that things are not what they appear to be, and must decide for herself what constitutes the truth, and what it is worth in light of the current situation.
Part of the film takes place at the infamous Joint Security Area or Panmunjeom, the only portion of the Korean Demilitarised Zone where North and South Korean forces stand face to face. JSA shows us how seriously both sides can take their duties at this highly sensitive area. As an investigative thriller, JSA boasts all the usual twists, turns and flashbacks that one might expect, including details on forensic evidence and witness statements.
But what it really is, and what truly sets it apart from your run-of-mill blockbuster, is a touching tale of brotherhood woven into the narrative. So much so, that it becomes a major part of the film.
Think John Woo, complete with [SPOILER ALERT!] a Mexican standoff [SPOILER END] that the famed auteur so perfected, but which JSA has effectively outdone. In fact, in light of the more recent but so disappointing Red Cliff, I would even tell John Woo to "eat your heart out!" to JSA.
Joint Security Area in effect, explores the lives of the isolated men who guard the DMZ on both sides of the border, in the larger backdrop of a volatile political climate that these same men could not understand nor really care for, despite their own loyalties. Major Sophie belongs to that larger backdrop - and her goal is to take that step down, to see things from their own points of view, to understand why the incident had to play out the way it did.
JSA further succeeds because of the way it takes place on several different levels. There are two effective timelines - one exploring the events leading up to the incident, the other emphasises on the investigation. Each major character also has his or her own issues.
But what clinches it for me is actually a twist in the film which has actually confused many in the audience.
I have read several articles where reviewers had questioned the point, even the logic, behind the turn of events. In fact, the twist was never necessary. It was not actually relevant to the larger story, and would have made things easier to understand if it hadn't taken place. Perhaps it was a case of one too many?
Instead, I applaud the director (Park Chan-Wook) for adding that aspect, effectively further humanising the story's main character, yet leaving that question of 'what if' in our minds. As any film maker knows, a good twist needs preparation - a cunningly hidden clue - and it wasn't as if Park hadn't provided one.
In fact, he provided it twice. What it needs however, is understanding and context, which the film will not provide at the time. When Major Sophie interviews Sgt. Lee Soo-Hyeok (Lee Byung-Hun), the alleged shooter and survivor of the incident, she remarks how his comrades had praised him for being a very fast shot. Instead, his reply provides a haunting perpective - that in war, it is not the speed of action that counts, but the steadiness of the mind.
The comment is only so important that it is repeated just once more later in the film, albeit and ironically, by a different person. This single spoiler I impart to you, because it is what is needed to understand the final outcome, and perhaps then you'll see why I recommend Joint Security Area so highly.
Like fine wine that only a connoiseur can appreciate, JSA is a film that takes some getting used to. But like its very final still shot, it hits you suddenly, as it did me. And I know this is one film I will never forget.
Exclaimations for:
! Outstanding Film/Storytelling: JSA won awards for Best Film and Best Director, but I'm not quite sure that's it. How to put it? A tremendous tale of brotherhood - how do you award that exactly? Best story for me... script was great too, but just a little suspect....
! Outstanding Final Shot: Those who have seen the film rave about the final end shot. I do too. Worth the price of a ticket, plus very probably the price of the DVD for good measure.
