Concrete Utopia

A super, super realistic movie portraying human psychology in society. If you judge it solely from the trailer, you might mistake it for a disaster film, but what I appreciate more is how the director, through the character played by Lee Byung-hun, perfectly illustrates the dynamics of human societal systems. Of course, the disaster in this film, within the context of this single refuge, highlights how scarcity forces people to reconsider their self-interest and survival. Lee Byung-hun's portrayal reflects the desperation of individuals in the face of limited choices, always hoping for a leader to establish a system aligned with their interests. However, it often happens that in the midst of conflicting interests, they forget their initial intentions and, in the process, destroy the bigger picture. It's really thought-provoking - in times of chaos, heroes emerge, but these heroes might also be the ones betrayed at any moment. Quite ironic, isn't it?

Giving this 7 star really mainly because Lee Byung Hun delivered as he always did. Stellar performance and script but clearly unrealistic ending whatsoever in a hopeful manner but still a show worth watching .Not much depth to the show so it's not too draggy along the way and the duration explains it because other than the survival that's going on and on there isn't any other topic or drama revolving around the show or characters. The characters can be more developed and would be nice to see more background story of the few main characters but i suppose it's not really necessary judging from the entire movie.

The movie dealing with ideals and reality. Drawing the end of those who forget to get close to the ideal. The parts that may be overstated are moderate by properly arranging ideals and realities. And this moderation asks the audience a profound question.

It's a really good movie by a rookie director.

In particular, I think it's a topic that only a rookie director can do. As a person who likes movies, I want to keep cheering for Director Eom.

The directing, the script, the OST, and the acting of the actors are all worth watching. In particular, Lee Byung-hun's acting makes me fall more into this movie.

After an epic earthquake disaster the concrete smoldering ruins of Seoul seem to stretch on as for as the eye can see.

In the centre of the massive disaster one building remains standing.

Dozens of outsiders from the surrounding area desperately seeking food and shelter from the cold. Feeling a threat to their very survival, the residents enact measures that questions the act of morals or survival.

Very well written, well done cinematography storytelling and great acting.

A must watch.

I had the opportunity to watch this at tiff this year. Tickets were sold out so I had to stand in Rush Line, two hours before the movie was being viewed,.

It was absolutely worth it.

Seoul is reduced to rubble when a powerful earthquake strikes in the winter. One concrete apartment tower remains standing in the ruins. Violence breaks out as people realize that resources and shelters are extremely limited. The residents of the sole standing apartment tower divide into camps of those with empathy for other survivors and outsiders, and those who feel they are separate from everyone else and must beat others into submission to survive. A man and woman living in one of the apartments each picks a different side.

"I can look at a person and recognize if they are cheating me," says the man chosen as the apartment complex leader. In Korea each such complex has its own culture and rules, and this man - a former soldier - quickly assumes command. However, this chosen leader is hiding a dark side. Sparks fly between the couple as well as the complex as a whole as people line up behind the leader, or choose to disobey.

Director Um Tae-hwa said he is interested in how people are transformed during a crisis. The film is based on a Cheerful Neighbor web-comic story about a similar disaster where people become selfish bullies, or not. "There is no absolute evil or good," he said. The complex characters of the film reveal this truth. They are not black and white, and that is a good thing. Um Tae-hwa appeared at the North American premier at the Toronto International Film Festival. "If you post comments about the film on social media," he said "I will read them."

I loved the theme of the film; people choosing to bully others or to be kind to them, when a crisis hits. There are people who choose rules, violence, and other forms of separation, and those who choose kindness, love, and sharing. The characters are intriguing as well, the acting is solid, and commentary interesting. The film isn't using computer generated imagery as a crutch and pleasantly relies on more traditional forms of film making. Thought is given to each situation as well as human warmth and humor.

So, see what prevails, love or the fist.