Film 'Sonyeondeul' Press Screening Held
Director Jung Ji-young (77), who directed the films 'Broken Arrow,' 'Namyeong-dong 1985' (2012), and 'Black Money' (2019), has brought the 1999 Samnye Nara Supermarket Incident to the screen. On the afternoon of the 23rd, at the press screening of the film 'Boys' held at CGV Yongsan in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Director Jung said, "Although it is a well-known case, it was an incident that should not be passed by like watching a fire from across the river."
In 1999, a trio of robbers broke into a supermarket in Samnye-eup, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk, resulting in the death of the elderly female owner. Nine days after the incident, three local boys were arrested as suspects, confessed to the entire crime, and the investigation was closed. However, it was later revealed that the case was fabricated. The so-called Samnye Nara Supermarket Incident was made into a film by Director Jung Ji-young, who is celebrating his 40th year in film directing this year. Since his debut in 1983, Director Jung has been exploring the hidden sides of our society through his films.
On this day, Director Jung Ji-young said, "I wanted to say, let's take another good look at the Samnye Supermarket Incident. What did we do? Did we just pass by with a reaction like 'Oops' through the media coverage? Were we merely spectators? Did we tacitly consent? I wanted to ask how we are living." He added, "We say in our hearts that we are on the side of the weak, but we remained silent. Those in power used that silence to make life difficult for the weak. Shouldn't we bow our heads a little more?"
The original title of 'Boys' was 'Accusation.' Director Jung emphasized, "While filming, I tried to capture how we view the weak, the dispossessed, and the poor." He continued, "Through films, I find where I am, where I live, and check the era we live in. That is my hobby and mission." He also said, "In the end, the film definitely talks about hope. I felt it was struggling not to despair."
Following 'Broken Arrow,' which dealt with a courtroom true story, and 'Black Money,' which dealt with financial crime, 'Boys' once again turns a true story into a drama. Director Jung said, "Some call me 'Korean Ken Loach,' but I think I am different." He explained, "Ken Loach approaches true stories with sincerity and realism, but I emphasize the seriousness of the incident while creating dramatic devices." He added, "I make films because I want to share them with many people."
He further explained, "'Boys' could not have included Captain Hwang Jun-cheol (played by Sol Kyung-gu) if it had stuck strictly to the facts. Lawyers and others should have led the story, so I borrowed another character. However, I did not scatter or distort the core; I introduced dramatic devices."
Sol Kyung-gu, who appeared in true story-based films such as 'Voice of a Murderer' (2007) and 'Hope' (2013), said, "I am drawn to the power that true stories give." He added, "Reality is more brutal than films. That is why I am attracted to it and feel a sense of responsibility."
Sol Kyung-gu, who played Captain Hwang Jun-cheol, who re-investigated the case in the film, explained, "The character was borrowed from Captain Hwang of Iksan, who found the real culprit." He said, "I hope people see this case accurately through me."
Sol Kyung-gu also recalled, "Director Jung sent me the script just one week after our meeting." He said, "At first, I saw the book (script) titled 'Accusation,' and I understood it as a refined 'Kang Cheol-joong.' The appearance of Hwang Jun-cheol 16 to 17 years later, the present in the film, was important."
Yoo Joon-sang, who played Choi Woo-sung, the head of the investigation team at Jeonbuk Police who arrested the boys, said, "I hoped Choi Woo-sung's ambition and success were well portrayed." He added, "Heo Sung-tae cried so much while watching the film that his eyes were swollen, and I cried a lot too. I was so moved that I could hardly believe it was me."
He said, "In the final trial scene, there is a moment where I point my finger at the boys and walk out. After acting that, I blamed myself and felt distressed. I wondered why I could only do it that way and wanted to scold myself."
Yum Hye-ran, who played Kim Kyung-mi, the wife supporting Hwang Jun-cheol, said, "I was surprised that the incident happened in 1999. I had just graduated from university and thought that democratization was happening and unfair things were disappearing. I was surprised that such a thing happened while I was comfortably living my university life."
'Boys' will be released on November 1.
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