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[Movie 2017] The Fortress 남한산성 Namhansanseong

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rubie Fan Level: 30

rubie

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September 1, 2017

New battle stills from "The Fortress"

Source: HanCinema.net

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"The Fortress" is a big budget war film that capitalizes on the struggles between two warring factions during the Second Manchu invasion of Korea. In any film like this there are some grand fight scenes with sweeping choreography, swords, armor, and men fighting for their lives. We just got some still depicting those very things, promising that this film will deliver on the action, honor, and adventure.

-Yours, Lisa, a managing editor who is glad she doesn't have to wear armor

"The Fortress" (2017)

Directed by Hwang Dong-hyeok

With Lee Byung-hun, Kim Yun-seok, Park Hae-il, Ko Soo, Park Hee-soon, Jo Woo-jin

Started filming : 2016/11/21

Synopsis
The movie depicts the conflict between Choi Myung-kil, a representative figure of the Juhwapa faction, who insisted to keep friendly relation with Qing Dynasty in order to protect the people in Joseon, and Kim Sang-heon, a representative figure of the pro-Ming Dynasty faction, Cheokhwapa, on the other side, while they fled to the South Castle (Namhansanseong) during the Second Manchu invasion of Korea.

Release date in Korea : 2017/09

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rubie Fan Level: 30

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Published on September 5, 2017 by CJ ENTERTAINMENT

THE FORTRESS Official International Main Trailer (with English subs)

Source: HanCinema.net

Does "The Fortress" sure look like a grand, grand film. The newest stills released are simply stunning in their depth and sharp relief. The movie talk preview trailer features the leads teasing the full movie talk and the film. With a cast that includes Lee Byung-hun, Kim Yun-seok, Park Hae-il, Ko Soo, and more, we can anticipate big things.

-Yours, Lisa, a sucker for battle films

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Spoiler

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peonie Fan Level: 27-2

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September 7, 2017

Lee Byung Hun is indispensable to the existence of quintessence famous acting.  (A translation)

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For his new movie, “The Fortress”, Hwang Dong Hyuck , director of “The Crucible” and “Miss Granny” brought together  Lee Byung Hun, Kim Yoon Seok, Park Hae Il, Go Soo, Park Hee Soon and Jo Woo Jin.   These actors known for their good acting raised people’s expectations.   Lee Byung Hun, with his role as Choi Myung Gil,  a high goverment official, will once again show case his acting skills in a historical drama.  The movie “The Fortress” depicted the year 1636, during King Injo’s 14th year reign when the country was attacked.  Isolated in Nanhansanseong  where they cannot go anywhere or retreat.  The fate of the country was trapped in this place.  This is the story of those 47 intense days. 

With the movie “Gwanghae:  The Man who became King”, Lee Byung Hun demonstrated that he could resonate with  both young and old audiences  and mobilized 12.32 million viewers and became a true 10 million actor.  In “Inside Men” (707,000 viewers ) and “Ma$ter” (714,000 viewers) through extremely attractive acting and colourful charm, Lee Byung Hun secured a place among actors in the Republic of Korea that can guarantee success at the box office.In particular, “Gwanghae:  The Man who became King”, through his double roles as King Gwanghae and as commoner Ha Sun, Lee Byung Hun applied his excellent acting skills in a historical drama to digest the two roles successfully and received strong praises from the audience.   This time in “The Fortress”, as a high government official, Choi Myung Gil, he advocated humiliation for future development thereby arousing strong expectations from the people.  

In “The Fortress”, Lee Byung Hun plays the role of Choi Myung Gil, a high governement official.  Isolated in Nanhansanseong where one cannot advance or retreat, he proposed to initiate peace talks with the Qing Army, (eliminate conflicts between the two countries and live in harmony) to overcome the crises.  By virtue of having the same loyalty to his country and to the people but with an opposing view point, Kim Sang Hun is played by Kim Yoon Seok.   The face to face conflict between the two main characters coupled with Lee Byung Hun’s terrific acting showed dramatic tension with deep moving feelings.  “It was interesting to read the script.  Furtheremore, the conflict between the two officials Choi Myung Kil and Kim Sang Hun which is impossible to ignore is the movie’s biggest attraction.”  Lee Byung Hun said.  In addition, Lee Byung Hun’s and Kim Yoon Seok’s perfect acting co-ordination increased the people’s sense of involvement.  

The movie director Hwang Dong Hyuck said:  “ If it wasn’t for Lee Byung Hun, this movie could not be completed.   Apart from Lee Byung Hun, there are no other actors that can tell their own stories with such encompassing persuasive power and sincerity!”  On one hand, the movie director handed him the role and on the other hand, he sighed with feeling Lee Byung Hun’s acting!  The director’s words stimulated the people’s curiosity.   Just how will Lee Byung Hun will transform into this role with his subtle acting ablity?  The lines of the script focused on the body and mind, continuously analyzing the image of the role, showing subtle changes in feelings.  Through such a high density acting craft,  Lee Byung Hun fully digested his role as the loyal Choi Myung Gil in “The Fortress”  and ignited the pent-up tension, and once again with his famous historical drama acting skills, firmly grasp the people's attention.


The combination of Kim’s Hoon best selling original work, “The Crucible”s and “Miss Granny”s  director Hwang Dong Hyuck, plus a group of reliable  and skillful actors, have strongly attracted people’s fascination for this movie.  Looking forward to “The Fortress”!   Looking forward to Choi Myung Gil!

Source:  LBH Baidu
http://tieba.baidu.com/p/5252879196

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rubie Fan Level: 30

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September 11, 2017

It’s All True
The True History Behind the Blockbuster-Scale Costume Dramas of 2017

by KIM Su-bin / KoBiz

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There are quite a number of Korean films based on historical facts being released in 2017 and so far the audience’s response to these films, which present both the impact of ‘true facts’ and the relatable qualities of ‘history’, have been enthusiastic. We have put together in chronological order four films based on true stories taken from major historical events, often-quoted in Korean cinema yet too extraordinary to be believed as true. 

WARRIORS OF THE DAWN, The Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592

Spoiler


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When the Japanese military launched an attack on Joseon Dynasty era Korea in 1592, King Seonjo placed temporary control of the war cabinet in the hands of Crown Prince Gwanghae and fled north to the border of Ming China. Prince Gwanghae recruits a volunteer loyal troop and heads for the Gangye area to fight against the Japanese, while appointing proxy soldiers as his guards. These so called ‘proxy soldiers’ were in most cases men from lower social classes that were paid to serve a military term in another person’s name to make ends meet. The proxy soldiers, each for their own personal reasons, join the journey, making a significant contribution by safely escorting the Prince to his destination. The entire group falls into danger when they are ambushed by an unidentified assassin while the Japanese army is still in pursuit of them. 

Filmmaker CHUNG Yoon-chul’s WARRIORS OF THE DAWN, which spans from the beginning of the Japanese Invasion to the spring of 1593, focuses on the specific subject matter of ‘proxy soldiers’ which has never been dealt with in any costume drama to date. The film stems from the assumption that these proxy soldiers may have marked the start of the loyal troops during the Joseon Dynasty. According to historical records, Prince Gwanghae travelled throughout the country with his war cabinet to recruit loyal troop soldiers. A few interesting tips about the film is the way it highlights these particular soldiers and Prince Gwanghae who holds the key to the Royal Court’s fate in his father, King Seonjo’s place. Prince Gwanghae has been depicted in many ways, from tyrant to benevolent ruler in both films and TV dramas, but none have focused on the leadership he displayed during the Japanese Invasion of 1592. Filmmaker CHUNG Yoon-chul explains that he made this film, which shows how the ruler of a nation and his people come to understand each other, with the purpose of exploring the idea of ‘understanding or communicating’ which has become one of the most sought out key words in recent times.

 

 

The Fortress, the Manchu War of 1636

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In 1636, during the 14th year of King Injo’s reign, the Manchu Qing army invaded Joseon. Fleeing from the cavalry-fronted Qing army who quickly advanced to the capital city of Hanyang, the king and his royal court sought refuge at the Namhan Mountain Fortress. Unfortunately, the king and his entourage were surrounded by the Qing army and isolated inside the fortress. The bitter cold weather, hunger and the enemy’s humiliating demands for them to surrender continued while the king and his court officials fiercely debated on a course of action that would determine the future of Joseon. The ‘doves’ or ‘soft-liners’, led by CHOI Myeong-gil (LEE Byung-hun), supported the idea of bearing the humiliation for now and planning for the future by making peace with the Qing Dynasty, while the ‘hawks’ or ‘hard-liners’, led by KIM Sang-heon (KIM Yun-seok), contended to fight to the end and defend their cause. 

The Fortress deals with King Injo and his royal court’s 47-days refuge at Namhan Mountain Fortress and is based on writer KIM Hoon’s bestselling novel of the same title. The original story, which focuses on the visualization of concepts such as ‘terrifying cold weather’ and ‘the faint scent of spring coming’, presents a striking depiction of conflict and union between the characters. The book went on to sell 700 thousand copies and 100 prints. Filmmaker HWANG Dong-hyuk who proved his talent in genre films Silenced (2011) and Miss Granny (2014) decided to adapt the novel into film after reading it “in hopes that it could inspire people to contemplate the various issues of contemporary society and its solutions by looking back at the dilemmas and decisions that our ancestors made during that particular time in history”. To tackle the challenges of re-enacting historical facts and visually interpreting the novel’s literary phrases, veteran actors including LEE Byung-hun, KIM Yun-seok, PARK Hae-il and KO Soo were cast while focusing on production design, costume and make-up to make the film look as realistic as possible. 

Anarchist from Colony, the Great Kanto Earthquake and the massacre of Joseon Koreans in 1923

Spoiler


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A false rumor was spread after the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Claims were made that Joseon Koreans were poisoning the wells, taking advantage of the confusion after the quake by setting fire to state-run facilities and attempting to bomb key Japanese figures. Subsequently 6,000 falsely accused Joseon Koreans were murdered by Japanese mobs. The Japanese cabinet, trying to cover-up the massacre and turn the public’s attention away from the case, decided to arrest young Joseon Korean PARK Yeol (LEE Je-hoon) who is a fervent anti-Japanese activist. PARK, who was still in high school when he crossed over into Japan in 1919 during the March 1st Independence Movement, forms his own anarchist group ‘Futeisha: The Outlaws’ to conduct anarchist activities in Japan. Realizing Japan’s scheme to conspire against him, PARK confesses the plot to kill the Crown Prince by bombing with his comrade and lover, Kaneko Fumiko (CHOI Hee-seo). A historic trial takes place and PARK Yeol is sentenced to death. 

‘This film is strictly based on historical research’, ‘All characters are real historical figures’. These phrases which appear at the beginning of the film indicate the extensive efforts the film put into historical research. Filmmaker LEE Joon-ik, while preparing for the film The Anarchists (2000) which he served as producer 17 years ago, became interested in historical figures who were unknown to the public. Among them he decided to make a film highlighting the life and convictions of PARK Yeol who passionately questioned and resisted the Japanese cabinet. LEE Joon-ik has already displayed his talent in costume dramas through films such as The Throne (2015) and DONGJU: The Portrait of a Poet (2016). Anarchist from Colony sets itself apart in its depiction of the Japanese occupation as it tells the story of PARK Yeol and his companion Fumiko. 

 

 

The Battleship Island, forced labor of Joseon Koreans in 1945

Spoiler


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The Japanese Government, using the 1938 ‘National Mobilization Law’, drafted young Joseon Koreans and forced them into labor. Among the many, some were taken to Hashima Island, also known as ‘Battleship Island’, which was additionally regarded as ‘hell’s island’ or ‘prison island’. The Joseon Koreans drafted against their will were sent to coal mines where they were forced to spend more than 12 hours in undersea mines reaching up to 1 km in depth with temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius. Within such a horrendous environment, Joseon Koreans suffered from mining accidents and malnutrition. When it became clear that Japan was losing the war in 1945, there were Joseon Koreans who risked their lives to escape Battleship Island. 

In 2012, when filmmaker RYOO Seung-wan set eyes on a photo of Battleship Island which seemed like a gigantic prison, he thought of an escape story. His desire to recreate the horrific history of Battleship Island for many people to see had him embark on a long-term mission to turn this story into a film. On July 5th, 2015, the island was recognized as a symbol of modernization and the industrial revolution and approved as a UNESCO World Heritage site when in fact Japan had actually erased its history of the forced labor of Joseon Koreans. Two years later in July, 2017, with the addition of cinematic imagination, the history of Hashima Island came to life through the film, The Battleship Island.

 

 

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rubie Fan Level: 30

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Source:  easternKicks‏ @easternKicks

 
Source: LEAFF2017

 

OFFICIAL LEAFF SELECTION

 

Including our stellar Opening and Closing galas, the LEAFF Official Selection will showcase the latest works from East Asia’s preeminent filmmakers.

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OPENING GALA

 

The Fortress

 

+ Q&A with Director Hwang Dong Hyuk and Actor Lee Byung-hun

남한산성 | 2017 | Korea | Dir. Hwang Dong-hyuk | 139min

 

SYNOPSIS:

 

In 1636, the Qing dynasty attacks Joseon. King Injo and his retainers, including Choi Myung-kil and Kim Sang-hun, hide in the mountain fortress city of Namhansanseong. They are isolated from the outside. Meanwhile, Choi Myung-kil insists that they enter into negotiations with the Qing dynasty, but Kim Sang-hun proposes that they keep fighting. 

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peonie Fan Level: 27-2

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September 14,  2017

"The Fortress" - role special - the following is part of Lee Byung Hun's translation. 

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“For the sake of the country and people, enduring shame in order to live, protecting the righteous name, pursuing practical benefits is how the character of Choi Myung Gil emerged.  With respect to Choi Myung Gil’s logical principles, I can understand and bearing this in my heart, I interpreted the role in this way. Choi Myung Gil respected Kim Sang Hun’s principles  and what he advocated;  even when emotions reached a climax, Choi Myung Gil tried to understand him.  This is one of Choi Myung Gil’s good points. In order to avoid choosing the worst decision and to choose another, compared to King Injo, Choi Myung Gil must have felt that a knife has pierced his heart.”

After listening to Lee Byung Hun’s interpretion of the characters, one must be more curious as to how he would interpret Choi Myung Gil’s character.

Look forward to seeing “The Fortress.” 

 

Source: Weibo

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