Joint Security Area DVD Review:

“Joint Security Area”: Big Trouble but Little Excitement in Central Korea

Thanks to the runaway success of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “The Ring,” Asian cinema in the West seems to have become synonymous with sumptuous Chinese martial arts period epics and creepy Japanese horror films. Hopefully their success will gradually open the door for a greater diversity of Asian film, not only in terms of genre but also nationality. For China is not the only local film industry to finally come of age. Neighbor South Korea also is ready to step into the limelight, as evidenced by the fantastic Korean War epic “Tae Guk Gi” and gritty thriller “OldBoy.” Presumably to coincide with the pending DVD release of “OldBoy,” director Chan-wook Park’s 2000 film “Joint Security Area” has recently been given a new release. Like “Tae Guk Gi” it focuses on the rivalry of the Koreas, but in the modern day.

“Joint Security Area” gets off to a bad start by billing itself as a mystery. The major twist is revealed early on, leaving a comparatively slight reveal for the climax. Instead, the film soon exposes its true identity as a human drama, if a politically charged one. The observations about human nature are fairly routine and the acting good but not sensational, so the drama probably holds more appeal for Korean audiences who can much better relate to the emotional nuances of their nation’s division. Less familiar Western audiences will probably be intrigued by the early scenes that meticulously illustrate the physical reality of the powder keg like environment at the border, but after the initial investigation the film really slows down.

The story begins with a brief glimpse of a shootout in the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the center of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas, which prompts an investigation by the governing Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC). Korean-Swiss Major Sophie Jang (Yeong-ae Lee), warned not to anger either side, represents the NNSC in its investigation, aided by Swedish Captain Perrson (Herbert Ulrich). The South Korean army claims that the soldier in question, Sergeant Soo Hyuk Lee (Byung-hun Lee), was kidnapped by the North and forced to kill two soldiers to escape. Lee himself is in a daze, allegedly due to a concussion, and unable to answer questions. In the North Jang and Perrson are shown the corpses and told that Lee crossed the border to murder them, as witnessed by wounded survivor Sergeant Oh (Kang-ho Song), who refuses comment. The autopsy reveals the victims were shot multiple times after they were dead, making for eleven hits total. Jang discovers that Lee’s pistol had only fired ten shots, and deduces another shooter was present. In fact, Lee’s girlfriend’s brother Private Nam (Tae-woo Kim) served at the same post, and Jang learns that it was his bloodstained pistol Lee carried when he returned, whereas Lee’s own pistol had fired one shot and jammed. From here the bulk of the story is told via flashbacks. We see Lee’s unit on maneuvers accidentally cross into the North, and hurriedly retreat. Lee is separated and steps on a landmine, freezing him in his tracks. He is saved by the intervention of Oh and his comrade Jung (Ha-kyun Shin). Gradually a friendship develops between Lee, Oh, and Jung, tossing messages back and forth between their opposing guard posts in the dead of night. What begins as a journey of peace and understanding eventually puts them on a collision course with disaster.

Ultimately “Joint” becomes less a mystery and more a statement on inter-Korean relations. The film contends through the warm camaraderie between Lee, Oh, and Jung that on a human level the North and South differ very little. Scratch beneath the surface though and the ingrained political rivalry springs to life, as when the jovial Oh reacts indignantly to Lee’s suggestion he come live in the South. In contrast to the humanity of the soldiers, the military leadership on both sides comes off as simpleminded warmongers, eager to exploit the incident for political gain. One imagines that it is only by nurturing this climate of fear and hate that Korea has been able to remain divided all these years. Hopefully this film will help show how silly it is to keep these natural friends apart.

Byung-hun Lee and Song are the stars of the picture, and while the conflicted Lee gives a capable performance it is Song who really impresses. Much like a big friendly bear his easy charisma warms the movie, although he quickly switches to steely menace when called for. Shin and Kim are fun as giddy and shy kids respectively. Yeong-ae Lee’s presence seems to be accounted for primarily by her good looks and moderate English ability, although the writer is probably mostly to blame for her character being one note and bland. Uncanny resemblance to Thomas Jane aside, why Ulrich’s glorified cameo earns center stage on the DVD cover is the film’s real mystery. It is worth noting that while Ulrich probably got the part on looks alone he and his commanding officer do actually have a smidgen of acting ability, in contrast to the appalling European amateurs often seen in Japanese and Hong Kong films.

The most impressive thing about the film is probably the careful recreation of the large JSA complex, such as the long meeting huts that straddle the borderline. To this untrained eye it really feels like you’re right there, and the tension is palpable as opposing guards glare at each other across the line. It’s truly an electric if bizarre work environment. There’s a beautiful scene blanketed in very real snow in which squads of opposing troops face off in the DMZ while their officers exchange cigarettes. Also very atmospheric is the eerie, foggy field in which Lee is trapped by the mine, and nervously scans the shadows for friend or foe. The big shootout at the border is fairly slick if too brief, and incredibly no one is injured despite the expenditure of a huge quantity of ammunition across a 50-meter divide. Not very confidence inspiring for civilians on either side of the border.

The film doesn’t require much in the way of special effects, except perhaps for some of the bullets whizzing by Lee in the climax. The most dramatic image, the huge blaze and subsequent explosions that occur when the South sets fire to a field to clear mines, was apparently an entirely practical effect. It looks fantastic, and it’s good to know some people are still willing to go the extra length.

Considering the comparatively thorough treatment given “Tae Guk Gi,” the extras on “Joint” are rather wanting. The “Behind the Scenes Footage” does show most aspects of the film’s production, including the cast visiting the real JSA, firearms training, rehearsal, snow shooting, the manufactured JSA, the action climax at the bridge, and even the thrilling cast hair cut sessions. While this is all nice to see, no narration is given so it isn’t very educational. There are interviews with the stars and director Park in which they briefly reflect on the subject matter and their filming experience, but there isn’t much of substance to learn here either. Lastly there’s a music video for the apparently bittersweet ballad in the film, set to appropriate clips. The inexplicable absence of subtitles leaves me in the dark as to the song’s exact message however.

“Joint Security Area” doesn’t make for much of a mystery, but it will be educational for those who know little about the Korean peninsula’s tense political situation. Regular CNN viewers may just want to wait for “OldBoy.” For a much more exciting recent military thriller I’d recommend “Basic.” It doesn’t have the emotional resonance of a nation divided, but John Travolta’s dimpled chin echoes the visual motif.



Chris Wood