For those that are interested, and can read chinese, here is a HD link to the movie:

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/Dxr0J-UheAE/ (Chinese Subs) 

Like Jeon Do Yeon’s text to Gong Yoo, this movie was hard to watch, and I bet it was much much harder to make. The Crucible, the direct translation of the Korean title Dogani, is an adaption of a novel by bestselling author Gong Ji-young, based on a true story about the atrocious events at Gwangju school for the deaf, an art teacher and social workers’ work on unveiling the evils, and the subsequent trial from 2000-2005.

It was a powerful subject, but without Gong Yoo’s deep motivation (he pursued the author for rights and pushed this project almost singlehandedly), and also his deep commitment to portray his role accurately; this movie will never have been able to send people reeling with its powerful message. 

Not only was this well casted, it was also well-acted, by all of the characters, from Gong Yoo’s weary In-Ho, to Jung Yumi’s righteously loud civil rights worker, to all three kids who were confined to hand signs and facial expressions, to even the peripheral characters, such as the twin brothers principal and head, who were mostly expressionless yet were able to send you that utter feeling of disgust and fear from one look. The lawyers, the judge, Min Seo grandmother, the other social worker, not to mention In-ho’s mother and even his respected teacher were well crafted and had multiple layers within them. No one was a cardboard cutout or stereotype. Each person had their own emotions and motivations and they really shined through. You could see how each person’s ambitions affected the others. No matter how briefly they appeared in the movie, they each caused a ripple of effect in the case. There is no ultimate conclusion, because although this is a film, the real people portrayed live on. Just because this chapter in their journey is past, doesn’t mean that is the end of the book. When we watch a movie, we are following a story, we laugh and cry with the characters and hope for an happy ending, a sense of closure. And when it ends, that story is put to sleep within the deep recesses of our minds, awakening when it is triggered. Or if it is a good movie, we think about it fondly and pull it out to watch frequently. And each time, we will be satisfied at the story’s end. 

However, this movie was made not to entertain but to bring more public recognition to this case and the unfairness of the sentences. It is not here to please us as audiences or make us satisfied at the ending. It wants us to watch, to understand, to feel, and to be riled up, to rally for a change. It is telling us to stop be apathetic, to look at the state of the society, and to think about the things we choose not to see. 

“Everyone, this child’s name is Min Seo, a child that cannot hear… and cannot speak. Everyone, this child is Min Seo….”

It lets us contemplate. Without the cast, and without Gong Yoo, this would not have been possible. But at the same time, without the wonderful director and original novelist, this story could easily be sloppy and become one of those cookie cutter rape movies. The cinematography was amazing in how it manipulated the mood easily and beautifully. It is also scored beautifully and understatedly. The whole look is very grim and the color palate is distinctively muted and mostly earth tones. Obviously not only does this make the film more gritty and dark, at the same time it also heightens the “realness”. Because as we all know, in real life there are more people who wear black than there are who adorn bright clothes; in real life not everything is colorful or in warm tones. Especially when it is in a city on a winter day. It is usually drab and dreary.

Also, the editing is marvelous, one scene that stuck to me was when In-Ho turned up and looked into the camera on the ceiling of the principal’s office. it was intercut with the principal looking up as he was raping Yoo-Ri. It made me hold my breath and gave me major creeps. I was so caught up in the moment, feeling as if In-Ho was feeling, seeing what he must have been thinking. “This is the camera that saw all the evil deeds”, feeling his disgust, yet at the same time the relief and happiness that they has finally found concrete and extremely incriminating evidence of the principal’s doings. 

Also, the last scene is really moving, because as a viewer that has been following the journey of this un-hero like hero, and feeling all the mixed feelings that came along, looking at the poster with In-Ho, it was as if we were able to read his mind, as his feelings and reflections flowed into ours. “Come visit Gwangju, the city of fog.” the poster welcomed us. Yes, city of fog. The fog that obscured the evils, the hurt, and the justice. 

Lastly, I want to say that I had really been looking forward to watching this movie yet and when it came out I became reluctant. I knew this movie’s objectives and could tell from the trailer that it was very well done. Yet I knew I would be emotional and didn’t know if I could bear watching it. I finally took the plunge after reading Gong Yoo’s interview.  I could see his sincerity clearly and wanted to give him justice watching what he obviously had put his whole heart, body and soul into. Surprisingly despite its dark topic, it is done as tastefully as it can be without limiting its impact and truthfulness. There were also a couple heartwarming scenes and others that are laced with dark humor.

Yoo-Jin: “What did she say?” (because she doesn’t understand Yoo-Ri’s signs)

In-ho: (pauses) “How nice would it be if I was her dad” 

Yoo-Ri signs again

In-ho smiles: “and if you were mom” 

Yoo-Jin: “What? This ahjusshi (uncle) is a widower with a kid, I haven’t even had the chance to properly have a relationship or love. If you want to couple people up, you should at least pick someone decent!” 

During this movie, I cried, I felt indignant yes, but I didn’t feel like my heart was being completely ripped out. Maybe it has been too hardened. But I’m deeply glad this was the way it was done. It might be repulsive if it tried too hard to give us the gore and the explicitness. I didn’t feel dirty watching it, or that the children were completely ruined forever. I think this is what real life is about. No matter how horrendous, the human tendency towards survival is amazing. You continue living, so you will heal… in time. I could see the minuscule hope conveyed through the children. Even though they were subjected to such inhuman and painful events, they were willing to trust new people and were willing to form new relationships. To society, they are stained, yet their innocence is not. It’s definitely very contradicting, but true. That’s the power of children. 

I loved this movie for what it represents, its impact on people and definitely recommend it. Don’t let the scary scenes put you off. I guarantee the end result is worth it. You will walk away with something. I don’t know what it’ll be, but it will be something good.