Spirits' Homecoming

Spirits’ Homecoming
Poster
Hangul	귀향
Directed by	Cho Jung-rae
Screenplay by	Cho Jung-rae
Release dates	February 24, 2016 (2016-02-24)
Running time	127 minutes[1]
Country	South Korea
Language	Korean
Box office	US$21.6 million (South Korea)

Spirits’ Homecoming (Korean: 귀향) is a 2016 South Korean period drama film written and directed by Cho Jung-rae.^[1][2] It was released in South Korea on February 24, 2016.^{[1][3][4][5][6]} Production of the movie was halted several times because of financial issues. But 75,200 people donated for the movie to be finished. The date of screening was delayed due to lack of screens to show the movie. However, people brought tickets in advance and issued petitions for the movie to be screened in more cinemas.^[7] The first screening was March 1, the Anniversary of the Samil Independence Movement.

Plot

The movie “Spirit’s Homecoming” is set during the Japanese occupation of Korea in 1943. The movie tells the story of 14-year old Jung-min and 16-year old Young-hee. Jung Min's family is poor due to frequent warfare but lives happily and peacefully. Because Young-hee's parents died during the war, Young-hee has to take care of her younger brothers. One day, Japanese soldiers kidnap the two girls in order to use them as 'Comfort Women'. Jung-min and Young-hee plan to escape because of the constant sexual assault and beatings. However, while Young-hee succeeds, Jung-min is killed by the Japanese soldiers.

Cast^[1]

• Kang Ha-na
• Choi Ri
• Son Sook
• Seo Mi-ji
• Oh Ji-hye
• Baek Su-ryun
• Cha Soon-hyeong
• Hong Sena
• Jung In-gi

Reception

The film was number-one on its opening weekend in South Korea, with US$6.4 million.^[2]

Motive of the movie

The director, Cho Jung-rae got the inspiration for the movie from a painting by Kang Il-chul.^[8] When a young girl, she was abused by the Japanese soldiers as a 'Comfort Woman'. The drawing shows a situation she experienced herself: Japanese soldiers pull the 'Comfort Women' who were suffering from diseases or weaknesses to the incinerator and shoot them. The soldiers then set the dead bodies on fire to destroy any proof of what they have done to the girls. Kang Il-chul drew the picture during a psychological treatment session. Through his movie, director Cho Jung-rae wants to reach the 'Comfort Women' who cannot go back to their hometowns and wants to console the damaged memories of the old 'Comfort Women'.

Who were 'Comfort Women'?

Japanese Soldiers kidnapped young Korean girls to satisfy their sexual desires during the Second World War. The girls were taken to Japanese brothels in Korea under Japanese rule. There, they suffered continuous sexual and physical assaults as well as torture being called Military Sexual Slaves for Japan. However, because of the brutality of the Japanese Soldiers, if the women became pregnant, sick or weak, they were killed since there was no reason to keep them alive.

Campaign

Hug- together Campaign

Jo entertainment, the production company of the movie, is advertising the 'Hug-Together Campaign'. This campaign is held to cure the hurt and mental pain of former 'Comfort Women' by giving a warm and big hug. It is also pertinent to the modern people who suffer in their lives, work hard and have a wounded heart that needs a warm embrace.^[9]

Awards and nominations

References

External links

• Spirits' Homecoming at the Internet Movie Database