Gongdong gyeongbi guyeok JSA (2000)

Director:

Chan-wook Park

Writers:

Seong-san Jeong (writer)
Hyeon-seok Kim (writer)

Release Date:

9 September 2000 (South Korea)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller | War

Plot:

In the DMZ separating North and South Korea, two North Korean soldiers have been killed, supposedly by one South Korean soldier...

Plot Keywords:

Soldier | Dmz | Friendship | South Korea | International Tensions

Awards:

9 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Yeong-ae Lee	...	Maj. Sophie E. Jean
Byung-hun Lee	...	Sgt. Lee Soo-hyeok
Kang-ho Song	...	Sgt. Oh Kyeong-pil
Tae-woo Kim	...	Nam Sung-shik
Ha-kyun Shin	...	Jeong Woo-jin
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ju-bong Gi
Christoph Hofrichter	...	Maj. Gen. Bruno Botta
Myoeng-su Kim
Tae-hyeon Kim
Herbert Ulrich	...	Swedish soldier

Also Known As:

J.S.A.: Joint Security Area (USA)
JSA: Joint Security Area (UK)
Joint Security Area (International: English title)

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

South Korea

Language:

English | Korean

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Australia:MA (TV rating) | Singapore:NC-16 | Argentina:16 | Sweden:15 (DVD rating) | Finland:K-15 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Ireland:15 | South Korea:15 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Asan, Choongchungnamdo, South Korea

Company:

CJ Entertainment

Trivia:

Since filming at the real JSA is impossible, an exact replica was built at the studio, which still stands.

Quotes:

Sgt. Oh Kyeong-pil: Your shadow is over the line. Watch it!

Movie Connections:

References Vargtimmen (1968)

Surprisingly Moving Piece of Korean Cinema

Fusing a Hollywood-style 'who-dunnit' with an intellectually poignant essay on Korean geopolitics, 'Joint Security Area' ('JSA') offered a surprisingly moving twist to an otherwise engaging film.

It raises questions on the incredulity of ideological differences. It showcased the ridiculous, yet tragic consequences such an imposed barrier can have on its people. People, whom if not separated by mere political allegiance, have more in common than they care to admit. 'JSA' perceptively explored a modern day Korean psyche - that heartfelt desire for kinship and unity between the people of both Koreas.

'Joint Security Area' is a timely film with a universal message - "Let not differences in race, religion or ideological allegiance blindside our judgement, especially in these violent and confusing times."

I instinctively respond to this message. I hope you do as well.