By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3 cats
Director: Im Sang-soo
Starring: Jae-ho Song | Suk-kyu Han | Yun-shik Baek
Original language title: Geuddae Geusaramdeul
Country: south_korea
Year: 2006
Running time: 102
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0445396/
Bruce says: “It is no secret that the President of South Korea will be assassinated in THE PRESIDENT’S LAST BANG; after all we are told on screen that it is 1979 and we know the film is based on fact. President Park Chun-hee (Song Jai-ho) came to power in 1961 and ruled South Korea with mixed reviews from the people. Park modernized South Korea and gave his country much clout in Asian markets and economic circles. The Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) was created when Park came to power and the agency was well known for human rights abuses and suppressing anyone suspected to be an enemy of the government.
“The film begins with great promise. Giving the audience complete access to the behind-the–scenes activities leading up to the assassination creates a surprising amount of intrigue. Two KCIA officials, Director Kim (Baek Yun-shik) and Chief Agent Ju (Han Suk-kyu) are carefully planning the killing. They are rank amateurs when it comes to assassinations, resulting in THE PRESIDENT’S LAST BANG being half political drama, half black comedy.
“Park, notorious for liking young women, plans a banquet and demands that his favorite Japanese folk singer (Kim Yoon-ah) entertain him and his close aides. She brings a girlfriend (Jo Eun-ji) along and the two women join KCIA Director Kim, President Park, his bodyguard (Jeong Won-jung) and his chief secretary (Kwun Byung-gil) at the table. Soon Park is making
advances towards the women. Kim, demonstrating no finesse whatsoever, leaves the table, pulls a gun, turns around and shoots. The President and bodyguard are shot dead. Unfortunately the film is not over. Much time is spent on the aftermath of the killing which is somewhat of a letdown. Kim and Ju are apprehended but the film makes no real statement as to who the real heroes or villains are. Perhaps that is the point. Without in-depth knowledge of Korean culture and history, much about
this film must remain enigmatic.
“Director Im has a very good eye and constructs his scenes carefully. The acting is less satisfactory; no one really shines. Throughout the film there are way too many men running around with white shirts and black suits. Never a fan of uniform films – from military to public school – I find same-dressed actors distracting and confusing. Too much time is spent trying to figure out who’s who when I want to know what’s what. 3 cats”