KOREAN CINEMA’S GOLDEN DECADE: THE 1960s Series
Korean Cinema’s Golden Decade The 1960 Series was featured at the Lincoln Center from 1-17 September. The series ran from September 1–17 and is one of the largest retrospectives ever of 1960s Korean Cinema outside of Korea, including many rarely screened films, several presented on 35mm archival prints. Long before Bong Joon Ho, Hong Sangsoo, and Park Chan-wook catapulted South Korean cinema onto the world stage, the foundation of their country’s film industry formed in the aftermath of the Korean War. The period kickstarted a wealth of eclectic and innovative filmmaking that culminated in the 1960s.
As a Korean war baby I was drawn to “The Marines Who Never Returned” a 1963 film directed by Lee-Man-hee which has its international 4K restoration premiere. Lee Man-hee’s breakthrough feature, The Marines Who Never Returned, is simultaneously among his most acclaimed films and one of the greatest Korean War films ever made. Produced within 10 years of the armistice, the film centers on a squad of marines who happen across a newly orphaned girl in the battlefield, Young-hui. Taking her under their wings, the marines form a heartwarming bond with Young-hui that lifts their spirits as they take on increasingly dangerous odds. The Marines Who Never Returned was a gargantuan production with the full support of the Korean military and the use of live ammunition and explosives that lend the combat sequences a rarely achieved level of authenticity. But what elevates the film as a classic is its warmth and humor, brought to life by the heartfelt camaraderie amongst the soldiers and their newly adopted daughter. The first Korean film to achieve a nationwide commercial release in the United States, the film is presented here in a beautiful 4K restoration version for the first time outside of Korea. Restored in 2022 by the Korean Film Archive.
You might say a typical Korean war movie but you are wrong. This is a Korean perspective and in many respects this is a traditional war movie but think again as here in North America we are deers in the headlights for American interpretations of the Korean war. This is a Korean (SOUTH) interpretation and yes for that reason deserves a watch. It has a1960’s “Rat Patrol” feeling and it fits that groove with a quick soldier’s death…a groan and a clean bullet hole so terribly fictional but in the 1960’s groove.
Do not judge with post 1960 war films “Apocalypse Now”, “The Thin Red Line”, All Quiet on the Western Front”, “Platoon” or the Yankee centric television series “MASH”.
RKS 2023 Retro Film Review Rating 93/100.
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