I do not have a vast knowledge of Korea’s history. When offered the opportunity to view the film Harbin by director Woo Min-ho, I was attracted to it as the film’s focus is on the fight for freedom from being a Japanese colony. It is set in the early 1900s, and the director does not hold back with the scenes of violence from the war in the bitter cold as the action kicks in.
Synopsis: In 1909, several years after Korea was forced into becoming a Japanese colony, freedom fighters plotted the daring assassination of Japan’s prime minister during their quest for independence.
The period drama follows Korean independence activist Ahn Jung-geun (Hyun Bin) as he and other Korean activists plan to continue gaining independence after losing so many comrades. The violence in Harbin is in close shots in some scenes. Ahn’s decision to spare a Japanese major, Mori Tatsuo (Park Hoon), is controversial among the independence fighters. Tatsuo has a goal to capture Ahn. The plan was to not stop fighting at whatever cost to gain independence, up to and including the assassination of Japan’s Prime Minister in 1909, to avoid annexation. Tatsuo does not let up.
The director co-wrote the script with Min-Seong Kim. The story is based on historical facts but written with plenty of action, adventure, and mystery. It is quite a thriller, including moles and spies. I do not know to what degree the facts have been stretched, but dramatization does not take away any entertainment factors; it provides some facts from one hundred years ago.
The cinematography by Hong Kyung-pyo is excellent in capturing the vision of the filmmakers to show what the freedom fighters were willing to go through to achieve their goals. There are amazing scenes of Ahn as he walks across the frozen path, determined to live when so many others die. Later, during another part of the plan that had to become fluid, there are scenes of travelers going through harsh terrain to secure some resources. Those scenes of travel are by both day and night. Although the scenes look beautiful, it is a harsh trip while only on a horse or on foot.
As the plan requires changes, a mole is suspected after their resources are compromised. The group presses on covertly between countries with help from underground allies. The Korean language film with English subtitles is engaging throughout, and I hope there will be an opportunity to see it again in a theater close to us.
Additional cast: Park Jeong-min, Jeon Yeo-been, Jo Woo-jin, Lee Dong-wook (among others).
The film premiered at the Toronto Film Festival (Sept. 2024) and now has a release date of January 3, 2025, in limited theaters in the US to date, with anticipation to expand. Running time: 108 minutes.
Source: Well Go USA Entertainment