Joint Security Area (JSA) ( 공동경비구역)
Director: Park Chan-wook
Country: South Korea
Year: 2000
Park Chan-wook’s Joint Security Area is on one level a moving drama, but on another is an all-too rare argument against the cynicism that pervades our thoughts and discussions about world peace. By framing characters as talking points for real-world military conditioning, the film creates a dialogue where North and South Korean soldiers find some common ground. It’s a heartwarming film, and ultimately one that leaves you with some hope for the future.
Find JSA: Joint Security Agency on Amazon.(English Subtitled)
Born in South Korea and raised in the US, Harrison Chute recently completed the existential journey endemic to all such twinkies, and is now open to experiences and cinema the world over. Anime enthusiasm was a consequence of science-fiction fandom, China has its martial arts, and now, there’s a special interest in Korean film. Maybe he’ll find some answers there.
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One of the best Korean films out there which anyone can relate to and enjoy. Perhaps if the producers decide to release an English language dubbed version it might help raise more awareness about Korean cinema and the situation in Korea.
A lot of people do not enjoy films with subtitles and that tends to hold back otherwise exceptionally good foreign films from gaining mass appeal.
Nonetheless, I would still encourage anyone even remotely interested in classic foreign cinema to give this movie a chance. Perhaps, make a whole movie night of it with Korean food and soju while watching this in high resolution with the subtitles on. Korean BBQ is far superior to any other BBQ and Korean soju is far superior to almost all commercial beers.