Joint Security Area

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.

Hands across the void, separated by dogma, briefly reunited, candid, without melodrama. A gulf simply straddled, a divide quickly filled, no malice or distrust, as partnerships re-build.

Leaders seldom lead, people following the bread, on all sides there's mistrust, of what's been spoken and what's been read. Continually replayed, along friction points that burn, when constructs are embellished from pontificating churn.

If only others didn't get in the way, what a great place the world could be, every day, after day, after day.

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.

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.

The Korean peninsula is divided like no other. The two countries are still fighting in a sense the cold war, divided by loyalty to different creeds. Not an easy subject to tackle, but this film takes the subject and smooths off the edges to show us that there is hope and beauty underneath.

The film centres round an investigation over a border-side killing. Unbeknown to the investigators, intertwined into their investigation is a friendship that had developed, behind the back of their superiors, of two sets of border guards on either side of a bridge dividing the countries. The secret friendship seems to concentrate the whole Korean divide issue simply, but minor hostility still pops its head up now and again, nevertheless without needing any kind of over-dramatics the men all respect and begin to ultimately care for each ahead of all else As expected, the whole situation comes to a head, and their is some strong emotional moments but the education to anyone who watches this more than makes up for all else.

I can't think of many more emotive subjects or films that I have seen this year. The acting and direction is perfect, whilst the script is funny and emotional. Korean films are just so far ahead of all else, it just defies belief. Highly recommended, you can't go wrong with this gem of a movie.