2025 | 88MIN l Documentary

DIRECTOR Koo Ja-hwan 

Set against the backdrop of the Jangheung Massacre and the chaotic events of the Korean War, this gripping film explores the brutal reality of civilian life during one of Korea's darkest times. The Jangheung Massacre of 1948, and the subsequent horrors of 1950, unfold through the chilling accounts of civilians caught in the crossfire of war. Following the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident on October 19, 1948, the massacre continued in waves: the military's suppression operations, the execution of members of the National People's Coalition in July 1950, the killings during the People's Army occupation, and the brutal retribution killings after police forces regained control in October 1950. Jangheung was a region so deeply involved in the war's guerilla activity that the People's Guerrilla Command of Jeollanam-do was even set up near the village of Gaji Mountain. As a result, civilian casualties were massive. The film immerses viewers in a town divided, where the horrors of political warfare, mass killings, and broken trust tear apart families and communities. With powerful performances and a haunting portrayal of survival in the face of violence, this film underscores the painful consequences of war, shedding light on the human cost of political conflict and the heartbreaking choices people are forced to make. (경남독립영화제)