Spring in my hometown

The films tells about life in a South Korean vi Ilage duri ng the last year of the Korean war. We follow the trials of two families, one poor, the other successful. Many women in the village are forced to prostitute themselves for the American soldiers that are stationed in the village, it becomes a way to balance the household money. But one of the women is discovered by her son, who reacts very strongly. Tragic consequences follow for this family, which already is under a lot of pressure.
Kwangmo Lee, who both wrote and directed Spring In My Hometown, has dedicated this film to his father and grandfather, who ''never gave up hope''. And the film is about a group of people trying to survive
in harsh times. Even if there is no fighting in the village, the war has infected the atmosphere in the little community. In the school the teachers are urging the students on with anti-communist slogans.
Neighbur is put against neighbour in the search for communist sympathizers. Life is poor and harsh. But despite its heavy theme, the film seems very restrained. It characterizes both acting and the visual style. The camera seldom moves and all the takes are very long. Close-ups
are rare. Often the important act in a scene takes place a little to the side, on the other side of the wall or in periphery of the frame.
The film starts in 1952, when the Korean war has been goi ng on for two years. To give the film more authenticity, Kwangmo Lee has included titles that mark important events toward the end of the war. These titles also contain personal reflections by the main character Sung Min (I n Lee). These titles increase the already strong documentary feeling. This was probably exactly the way things were in 1952, in Korea.
FREDRIK GUSTAFSSON

Premiärstatus
Skandinavisk premiär: Medverkande
Sung Ki Ahn,Ok Sook Song,Yu Sung Bae: Producent
Tae Sung Jeong: Manus
Kwangmo Lee: Foto
Hyung Koo Kim: Musik
Il Won: Talat språk
Korean