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Gongdong gyeongbi guyeok JSA (2000) More at IMDbPro »

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65 reviews in total

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39 out of 39 people found the following review useful:
Surprisingly Moving Piece of Korean Cinema, 11 October 2001

Author: Sinnerman from Singapore

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.

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36 out of 39 people found the following review useful:
This must have been a knockout in Korea (well, the South, at least), 27 September 2004

Author: talltale-1 from Jackson Heights, NY

JOINT SECURITY AREA is pretty amazing, but the less said about the plot, the better to insure your full enjoyment, surprise and emotional connection. Another member puts the film down for its sentimentality. I don't know about that: When a country has been as divided as has Korea for the past half-century, a movie like this must have really knocked the socks off of a lot of South Koreans (I doubt it could be shown in the North). I'm trying to think of some equivalently themed American film, but nothing comes to mind. "A Midnight Clear"--or a film about comradeship on either side of, say, America's Civil War-- just couldn't provide the sense of long-term division/separation that Korea has experienced. Beautifully filmed, with flashbacks and varied points-of-view, this puzzle movie eventually comes together, offering some of its best moments toward the end. The last shot is astonishing: simple and reminiscent, but now seen with enough clarity and irony to open mouths and overflow tear ducts.

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30 out of 35 people found the following review useful:
Well done!, 30 June 2004
Author: nr3685 from Stockholm, Sweden

Expecting an Asian remake of A few good men, I was pleasantly surprised to find a well acted movie with a different storyline. It expressed the feeling of absurdity that exist in such places as a DMZ, with nice attention to details. Anyone who has been in places or situations like these will recognize the cigarette rituals and so on.

I think the movie excellently describes the stupidity and rigidity of war and the military life - just like in the movie, all it ultimately leads to is friends killing each other for no good reason.

The people who are complaining about the bad English in the movie obviously never heard Swiss and Swedish people speak English - none of the "foreigners" are supposed to be native English speakers, so it makes perfect sense for them to speak as they do!

All in all, a visually beautiful movie with a nice but slightly over-obvious script, nice acting from the four main Korean characters, some very funny scenes that gives comic relief to fend off the impending doom of the inevitable end, and actually quite realistic, in my opinion.

Now I am going to check out Sympathy for Mr Vengeance and Old Boy!

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23 out of 25 people found the following review useful:
Excellent Korean drama from Old Boy director, 30 July 2005

Author: FilmFlaneur from London

After a general moratorium on film exports, JSA was amongst the first few Korean films to appear in west, to be associated with the emerging Korean 'New Wave' cinema. It was also one of the most successful and expensive films made in the country at the time, and as such was director Chan-Wook Park's breakthrough film. Park has since gone on to direct such cult items as Oldboy, in which he combines a sure sense of staging with a visual, kinetic flamboyance all of his own. A compelling and moving work in its own right, JSA makes something haunting and memorable out of a situation which, in outline, could easily have proved propagandist and dull.

It takes place entirely at the Panmunjom, the Korea DMZ peace village where North and South Koreans face off under the terms of 50-year-old treaty, glaring at each other across a thin stretch of ground, huddled over spyglasses and rifle barrels, or staring each other down across a borderline. The bitter division of the country provides a frequent background to much of its cinema just as, in its way, the spectre of past nuclear destruction has haunted that of the Japanese. But there is a difference. Japanese cinema often shows the dangerous unity of clan, kin or country in the face of crisis. In Korean cinema, brothers are often divided whilst, around them, a fractured society threatens and fights itself. Sometimes the violent resolution of the country's famous stand off promises mutually assured destruction, as is presented symbolically at the climax of Attack The Gas Station! (1999). In other films it can appear as part of an action thriller (Shiri), or as the basis of a recent war film (Taegukgi, 2004), and so on. In the more profound JSA, national division provides a starting point for an examination of the human condition, as soldiers on either side of the line discover what it is to establish warm, normal interaction - even at terrible cost.

"There are two kinds of people in this world - Commie bastards and the Commie bastards' enemies" says a South Korean officer to the Swiss investigator Major Sophie Jean (Yeong-ae Lee) at the start of Park's film. Jean works for the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission. Previously her superior has warned her that her real job is not to investigate, "who, but why," and that "the outcome is less important than the procedure." But as Jean delves deeper into recent events with an insistence born of her own family history, revelations prove Rashmon-like, proving that the truth is by no means black and white. In fact the opening scenes, containing the harsh protocols for her work, are the least satisfying of the film. (A fact exacerbated by the poor spoken English of actress Lee and the woodenness of her Swedish companion). It is only once the viewer enters the experience of the soldiers - a process gradually revealed through a number of sometimes-gnomic flashbacks - that JSA becomes interesting.

JSA was a controversial success in Korea. The action is set very precisely, at the borderline between two societies and Park was concerned to make it as realistic as possible, spending $1 million on building his own Panmunjom. As a narrative his film is just as deliberately less exact, hovering between military thriller, patriotic tragedy, personal loyalty tale as we learn more about the soldiers, now tight-lipped under independent interrogation. Enemies, then friends, comrades and brothers, the men's deepening relationship also suggests a more taboo attraction, one which proved unsettling to home audiences. Ultimately the 'Joint Security Area' becomes less a site of military stalemate than a place where emotional ties ought to provide their own justification and balance.

The structure of Park's film is an intriguing one: a straightforward, and reasonably suspenseful investigation of an outrage frames a sequence of flashbacks and reminiscences, often presented in non-linear manner, fleshing out the main story. In between there is some newsreel footage as well as some exploration of Major Jean's motivations, while the feelings of the soldiers concerned are never elucidated, merely explored through past events. The director's achievement lies in tying all this into a reasonably convincing whole, moving the audience from the coldness of a military tribunal to the warm realm of human feeling.

There are several moments in JSA to savour, some of which occur within the no man's land between the two societies itself - a neutrality which seems to encourage a self reflection and recognition between main participants: the snowy, wordless encounter between two border patrols for instance, where tension is dissipated with a single cigarette; or the first encounter on a cold night between Sergeant Oh and Sergeant Lee, surrounded by mines, their breath freezing in an field. Elsewhere Park's camera records the absurdities of petty border etiquette, at one point shooting from overhead the dividing line where soldiers square off against one another, placing figures in some lunatic grid of their own devising. (At one point Park has two of the soldiers mock the solemnity and rigidity of the border by playing spitting games across the line.) There's a similar overhead shot later, this time looking down at a fallen soldier face up in the rain. The camera also plays a memorable part in the last scene of the film, as an ordinary snapshot is transversed by a slow pan, which pulls out of the composition a final, mute commentary of its own.

Asked earlier why one of the soldiers had deserted his post just to relieve himself, the blithe answer comes back as: "People with constipation should seize the chance when it comes." It's a philosophy that informs a good deal of JSA. Not to put too fine a point on it, the film suggests that, blocked by its own political impasse, Korea needs to loosen up and seek relief as it can. Park's film shows one way, perhaps not the best, but a memorable story all the same.

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23 out of 26 people found the following review useful:
AWESOME PIECE OF WORK: Rent this today if you can!, 23 September 2005

Author: Jamester from Canada

It's been a few years, but I saw this in a Singapore theatre a day or two after it opened there. A Korean friend had mentioned it was good, so I went to check it out assuming it would be good. OH MY GOSH! This was an excellent movie and it seems so unfortunate that it didn't get a wide-release in North American (or not that I know of) as I think it would have done really well! This was #1 in Korea beating out Spider Man!! In fact, the North Korean leader even requested a copy for his viewing pleasure -- perhaps to get his own look at what South Korea might be plotting, or maybe simply to be entertained with some great film-making.

The movie combines a very likable Hollywood touch with compelling plot action, in contrast to some very personal moments and an amazing sense of suspense in this movie. I was floored.

The whole location of where the movie takes place -- in the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea -- and the acute tension was certainly captured and sure made for great story-telling. I can't remember another movie where I saw and experienced more tension in a story than in this movie! It fit the story perfectly, and really got the movie off to a great start. Then, as the characters were introduced, piece by piece, we explored action, emotion, and thought. The movie examined, re-examined and really brought us close not only to the events, but to the people in the story. I felt a range of emotions in this story culminating in a really great movie!

This is a must-see!

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21 out of 23 people found the following review useful:
A truly inspiring movie that makes you ask "Why do we have wars?", 30 September 2005

Author: Jin Lee from Australia

I must admit when i first saw the cover of this movie my initial thoughts were "oh man another pointless testosterone military driven movie", how wrong i was.

This is a wonderfully crafted masterpiece that evokes the strongest emotions in a person's heart. The movie is set in Korea and portrays how different people can set asides their differences and be able to see each other in the purest form, that we are the same, brothers and sisters.

I found myself on a roller coaster ride of emotions, laughing one minute, in with tears in another. All the actors and actress have done a superb job in this one. The most emotionally powerful scene was the last scene. Only a photograph but conveys so much meaning and emotions.

Definitely a must watch movie, no matter what nationality you are, you will be enchanted and inspired by this movie's magic, and understand a bit more about what it means to be a person.

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17 out of 18 people found the following review useful:
Best Korean movie ever, 20 October 2001

Author: Iljun from Seoul, Korea

Although a native Korean, I've always been skeptical of Korean movies. They tend to overplay emotions and lack realism. Well, this movie changed my whole outlook - it is a grippingly realistic movie that rips through the storyline. I was spellbound. Set in the highly charged Korean demilitarized zone, it is the tale of a shootout gone wrong, but the movie is much more than just a whodunit. It illustrates quite subtly the delicate North-South emotions that transcends ideologies of the 2 regimes; it really is about characters and their situations, rather than actions. The film also features some beautiful cinematography - the scenes I remember are the tall grass (the minefield incident) and the muted cigarette exchange on top of a snow-covered hill. The latter, particularly, is extremely poignant in its silence. Why are they smoking together? And why do they not speak? The answers to these questions, I guess, are the subjects and emotions that the movie tries to convey. The only flaw I can offer is the clear mis-casting of Lee Young-Ae as the neutral major, but her role in the movie is not central enough (although she does take up quite an amount of air time) to drag down the whole movie. IMHO, I would have used a Korean-European new face in the role. I am sure that it appeals to Koreans more than foreigners, although i'm also sure you can enjoy it without prior knowledge. I recommend this very highly. It's a pity that it's still not out on DVD even after 1 year following its release, and I hope it is released soon so that movie lovers everywhere can appreciate it.

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19 out of 23 people found the following review useful:
Weak beginning, powerful ending, 26 August 2005
Author: JoeytheBrit from www.moviemoviesite.com

Soo-hyeok Byung-hun Lee) is a South Korean soldier stationed at the DMZ that divides his country. Nearing the end of his national service, he is intrigued by Sgt. Oh Kyeong-pil (Kang-ho Song), his North Korean counterpart who saves Soo-hyeok's life after he steps on a mine. Crossing the bridge that separates the respective countries one night, Soo-hyeok forms an unlikely friendship with Sgt. Oh and his comrade, Ha-kyun Shin (Jeong Woo-jin) before introducing them to his own 'comrade', Nam Sung-shik (Tae-woo Kim). Events take a tragic turn, however, when their friendship is discovered…

JSA starts off quite badly, with a confusing scenario that director Chan-wook Park seems in no hurry to explain, and some poor acting from a number of English-speaking international actors, all of which makes the first half-hour or so a little off-putting. But, once the military investigation into the death of two North Korean soldiers moves aside to allow the story to focus on the growing friendship between the four men, the whole thing improves immeasurably, and grows stronger with each passing scene until concluding with a wonderfully realised final shot that superbly summarises both the odds against which the men's friendship is formed and the tragedy that results from it. By contrasting the similarities between the four men with the conflicting ideologies of their native lands, the film neatly encapsulates the components of one nation at war with itself. The adversarial relationship between the two halves of the country – and its ultimate pointlessness – are reduced to the harmless adversarial games and banter enjoyed by the men.

Park makes intelligent use of the camera throughout the film, resorting to visual trickery at times, but without becoming self-indulgent, and the four men are all completely convincing in their roles, although it is Kang-ho Song who stands out as the wise North Korean sergeant who loves his country while fully understanding its flaws.

The mystery within the plot, while a convenient device for framing the men's illicit friendship, unfortunately tends to overshadow the story at first – misleading the viewer into believing they are perhaps watching a completely different type of film, and distracting from its wonderful subtleties. A second viewing, therefore, can only enhance the viewer's enjoyment.

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10 out of 10 people found the following review useful:
Peace Is Preserved Hiding the Truth – A Touching Antiwar Movie, 24 December 2006

Author: Claudio Carvalho from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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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3 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
The story of four "brothers", 27 January 2008

Author: eric_xoloitzcuintle from Mexico City

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Major Sophie (Lee Young Ae), from Switzerland, is in charge of the investigation about a shooting in a North Korean border house. Lee Soo-hyeok (Lee Byung-Hun) is the main suspect of the dead of two North Korean soldiers after he escape from the soldiers according to his confession but Major Sophie will find some contradictions in Lee's confession, specially because of the number of bullets in the dead bodies. Soon the truth will be know.

The plot of this film, directed by Chan-wook Park before his great and famous "Vengeance trilogy", involve one of the most difficult themes for the two Koreas and a tragic and touching story about friendship set in an absurd thing called war. The storyline is perfect and very touching, first it seems to be a story about mystery involving a murderer but later with the flashbacks it turns into a story full of humanity in which the protagonists are afraid to tell the truth thanks to the assured reaction of their governments that will place them as treacherous. So the film is very antiwar and always have a great message that every person in the world must practice.

The cast is great and i think is not very easy to make a film about this difficult theme and all the actors and actresses are just perfect. And the cinematography is just amazing with some of the most memorable scenes that i have seen on a film, specially every time we can see how close is the border between this two countries. Also i think the very last photography is very beautiful showing the four "brothers" before the tragic story. And i read that it is impossible to film in the Joint Security Area so they create a perfect replica for the film so is also a very valuable thing.

Conclusion: watch this excellent film, it was the biggest success in the history of Korean cinema and is another great film by the great Chan-wook Park. 9.5 out of 10

DVD: the last year the company Quality Films released in Mexico the collection "Cinema Xtreme: Asian Series", with a lot of excellent films including this one. I own like 4 films of this collection and are just great, with few but good bonus material. The only bad thing is the package of this DVD that is not as good as the rest of the collection and i don't know why. Anyway is excellent that we can enjoy this films in Mexico.

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