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Joint Security Area

Joint Security Area (2000)

September. 09,2000
|
7.7
| Drama Action Thriller War

Two North Korean soldiers are killed in the border area between North and South Korea, prompting an investigation by a neutral body. The sergeant is the shooter, but the lead investigator, a Swiss-Korean woman, receives differing accounts from the two sides.

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Reviews

Evengyny
2000/09/09

Thanks for the memories!

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Stevecorp
2000/09/10

Don't listen to the negative reviews

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AutCuddly
2000/09/11

Great movie! If you want to be entertained and have a few good laughs, see this movie. The music is also very good,

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Dana
2000/09/12

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

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paulclaassen
2000/09/13

A story about enemies becoming friends, and how terribly wrong things turned for them. This interesting story can easily be divided into three acts. The first act sets up the criminal scene, where the killings took place. It is mysterious and the investigation itself is interesting as they try to put pieces of the puzzle together.The second act takes us back in time and set up the circle of friends. It tells us how the two soldiers from South Korea and two soldiers from North Korea met, and how they became close friends and shared anything from showing off their girlfriends to playing silly games together. It just proofs again soldiers from different countries can actually be friends instead of killing each other simply because their governments demand it. The film was a bit slow moving during this part, but it was nevertheless interesting.The third act takes us to the present again, as the past and present meet, and the investigation continues. This was very interesting indeed, but it does have an unexpected ending.

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redrummy
2000/09/14

I won't go into massive detail but it is a excellent example of korean cinema led by massively likable song kang ho and while the murder element does take away from the film somewhat it leads to a immensely satisfying conclusion The story begins with murder and mystery with political overtones, yet at it's heart, it's a film about friendship. The likable characters which never succumb to stereotypes bring to life a strange friendship which is rare under the political times but is treasured all the same. It does help if you have some knowledge of korean history but isn't required and can appeal any audience willing to invest time into the slow start.

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TheExpatriate700
2000/09/15

Joint Security Area is a complex early work of Park Chan-Wook, combining a military political thriller with a meditation on the brotherhood of man. Although it does not reach the heights of his later works such as Old Boy and Thirst, it is an early demonstration of his ample talent, and features several actors who would figure prominently in his later work.Tensions on the Korean peninsula escalate wildly in the wake of a shooting incident just over the North Korean border, in which a South Korean soldier is the culprit. A Swiss soldier of Korean descent is sent as a neutral investigator. However, what initially appears to be a story of international aggression by either one side or the other soon turns out to be something far more complex, and tragic.This film showcases the things that made Park Chan-Wook's later films classics. It weaves a complex, non-linear storyline with the innovative cinematography that make all of his films beautiful. Furthermore, the performances by Lee Young Ae and Song Kang-ho are powerful, prefiguring their fine turns in Sympathy for Lady Vengeance and Thirst, respectively.Although this film did not show the level of creativity associated with Park's best work, such as Old Boy, it is more than worthy of being sought out by fans of his other films.

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Claudio Carvalho
2000/09/16

After a shootout at the common security area at the border of the two Koreas, when two soldiers were murdered, Maj. Sophie E. Jean (Yeong-ae Lee) is assigned by the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission to investigate the incident. The smart Major finds lack of consistency in the statements of the survivors, and in spite of being pressed by her superior, she interviews South Koreans Sgt. Lee Soo-hyeok (Byung-hun Lee) and private Nam Sung-shik (Tae-woo Kim), and the North Korean Sgt. Oh Kyeong-pil (Kang-ho Song), disclosing a tragic story of friendship. In the end, peace and Sgt. Oh are preserved hiding the truth in her report."Gongdong Gyeongbi Guyeok JSA" is a magnificent and touching antiwar movie. Directed by Chan-wook Park, the director of the cult "Oldboy", only now this film was released in Brazil, after the success of "Oldboy". This movie has a fantastic screenplay that keeps the interest in the impressive story until the very last scene. I was moved with the sad story of friendship between brothers in this polemic theme. The Common Security Area, created on 27 July 1953 with the armistice between the two Koreas after three years of war, and their reunification, seem to be a taboo for these peoples and I appreciate the courage of this group of excellent actors and actress in approaching such theme. In the Extras of the DVD, the cast and director give interviews about the story but never give their opinion about the reunification of these nations. The stunning cinematography and camera work are also very beautiful. My vote is nine.Yitle (Brazil): "Zona de Risco" ("Zone of Risk")

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