Keurosing

Having read Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick, Escape from Camp 14 by Blaine Harden and The Aquariums of Pyongyang by Chol-hwan Kang & Pierre Rigoulot, I was very interested in finding a movie that dealt with the unfortunate realities of modern day North Korea as is detailed in the aforementioned books. I was not disappointed.

Keurosing is a look at a grim reality that most people would rather just ignore. It's a dark, depressing journey. Anyone who has seen Grave of the Fireflies will know what I'm talking about. The movie is well directed and the acting is very good. I highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in North Korea and has read any of the books I've previously mentioned.

I'm not a person who usually sheds tears for a movie, or weeps in general for that matter, but man I cried a river after seeing "Crossing". It really makes you wonder how can life be so tough. Unfortunately, it can and though this is an extreme example, way too many people have to go through such injustice and sorrow.

Story - the toughest you can find. Acting - brilliant. Directing - excellent. But the thing that hits you right in the forehead is the reality. It made me project myself into the poor soul of a simple man, whose life is not much more than a non stop struggle for survival, and then such a simple, tiny joy like a summer shower makes you happy and brings a smile to your face. Even in the toughest times life is about little things and it does make you appreciate all that you have.

The mark is 10, and even that's way too low for what this brilliant title made me feel. Good job.

This is a "heavy" movie.

The plights of the North Korean society and homes depicted here is something you can not believe your eyes, but from many documents such as the reports from those who have escaped from there, we can imagine the movie scenes are close to reality. This is the country of complete oppression. In 1960's we saw North Korea as a poor but hopeful country. In fact, many Koreans living in Japan returned to North Korea to join the building of "paradise on earth". But since then, the country kept going downward. Nowadays they are isolated at the dead end. The reason why such country still survives is that by giving people at the power side extreme privilege, so that they want to keep the regime made of fictions.

In such a country there is a family of the father, once a hero of soccer team, and his loving wife, and their son who likes soccer too. The atmosphere of the family which is poor but tied with love emphasizes how loveless the country is.

In fact, looking at the officials of the camp or boarder security, I could not help wondering if it is possible for the same human being become arrogant and cruel like this. I feel some sense of impotence, because I can do nothing to the situation close to my country.

This movie focuses on the fate of a family. This is beyond a propaganda movie to accuse North Korea, nor to glamorize the rescue group. This portrays the dignity of human being.

I happened to be invited to a human rights event where the people were showing this film. Originally I wanted to see it because it was about the extreme human rights violations in North Korea. I'll tell you, this film has such great performances and such a profound soul, that you just can't help crying/balling. Well-acted, well-edited, well-paced, it never lets you off the hook. South Korea's leading actor In-Pyo Cha plays the father in what is essentially a father-son tale played out in exquisite but heart-wrenching detail. If you're into stories that express the fullness of human experience this is one worth experiencing. It will haunt you and alter your perception of freedom and everything else you hold dear. I read someone's complaint on here that the father should not have been a soccer/football star... but that's such a pointless criticism for the sake of criticism. WATCH IT!!