Keurosing (2008)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Tae-gyun Kim

Release Date:

5 June 2008 (South Korea)

Genre:

Drama

Cast

In-Pyo Cha
In-gi Jeong
Shin Myeong-Cheol

Also Known As:

Crossing (International: English title)

Runtime:

South Korea:112 min

Country:

South Korea

Language:

Korean

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

South Korea:12 | Singapore:PG

Company:

Cineclick Asia

Trivia:

South Korea's 2009 Academy Awards official submission to Foreign-Language Film category.

not perfect, but important

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Initially, I agreed with one of the previous comments about the "ex-football star" background of the protagonist. The tidbit seemed cheap, unreal, and less authentic. The more I thought about it though, I suspect that the choice was made for two reasons: 1) to make the protagonist appeal to the rest of world, especially South Koreans, by creating this common interest (football/"soccer"). I think the world has a hard time relating to North Koreans. Americans and some South Koreans have this phobia of communist countries. Furthermore, North Koreans have been in a hermit state for a very long time. Very little is known or seen of the North Korean citizens themselves. The football thing was a simple way of making people realize that North Koreans are human beings, and in some ways they're just like us. 2) to show that the protagonist was not against the North Korean government. Well, at least not outwardly. I think this film did a good job of staying away from direct commentary on the N.K. government. Yes, the film paints the government in a bad light at times. That really can't be helped, as many of the scenes are based on true accounts. However, not once does the protagonist start ranting about how his government failed him. While there is heavy censorship in North Korea to speak against the government, the film could have had the protagonist 'think' these thoughts or discuss them safely with his family-- but it didn't. The main problem that the protagonist faces-- and that many North Koreans face-- is not that he resents his government (although, we like to think North Koreans do). His problem is that his family is starved, sick, and unable to find help in a country that lacks resources.

For those two points, I have to applaud the film. I think it made a sincere effort to do what's best for the cause-- North Korean Human Rights-- and not just focus on what's best for the art.

If anyone is interested in learning about how they can help, you can search the web for The Chosun Journal, U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, Liberty in North Korea, or Amnesty International's page on North Korea. Like any cause, donations are very important. But unlike most causes, I think the biggest challenge for N.K. Human Rights is that most of the world (and concerning, most South Koreans) ignores it. I hope this film succeeds in bringing more awareness to the plight of the suffering.