26 Nyeon is a Korean foreign language film about retribution and revenge.
The film centres around a group of people who each lost loved ones in the May 18 Democratic Uprising in Korea, where thousands died at the hands of the government and police.
26 Nyeon, which translates into 26 Years, takes place 26 years after the Gwangju Uprising, as the group plan to assassinate the former president of the country who was responsible for murdering their loved ones.
Synopsis
26 Nyeon centres on the main character Shim Mi-jin, who is a talented sniper for the national shooting team.
After her success in the Olympic games, she comes into contact with a group of individuals who all lost family members in the Gwangju Uprising.
Together each member has their own unique individual skill and form a quite the professional covert team. Leading the group to conjure up a mission to assassinate the man responsible for the massacre.
In order to kill their target, Shim Mi-jin and the others have to follow a strict plan to a T. In doing so they end up attracting the attention of a police officer.
The remainder of the film follows both the team and the police as both try to complete their own different justified missions.
Important Themes
In my opinion, 26 Nyeon is a powerful thriller and stand-alone film. Much of this was do to the fact that it was based on a narrative about the Gwangju Uprising.
In 1979, the president of Korea was assassinated and the Korean Army took control of the country through the Coup d'état of December Twelfth.
After seizing control, the country was sent into civil unrest as civilians and armed forces clashed. On May 18, civilians gathered at Chonnam National University after it was forcibly closed. Angry protesting ensued after provocation which saw the the army fire on and kill civilians.
Civilians formed militias to fight back, with a war on the streets between civilians and the army. Martial law and civil unrest lasted more than 2 weeks, with death tolls estimated being between 1,000 to 2,000. In total 1,394 people were arrested for some involvement and 427 were incarcerated.
Today, a massive monument has been put in place near the University commemorating the memory of those killed.
In 1997, the South Korean government built the May 18th cemetery located in the city. And in 1994, the May 18 Memorial Foundation was created by survivors of the Uprising, stating that:
"May means a sacrifice for us rather than an unhealed wound. May is history that is to be remembered not only for the victims of the May 18 Democratization Movement but also for all citizens in Korea. In addition, people need to learn the May Spirit from a realistic perspective in order to spread the Spirit to the world. In this espect, the May 18 Memorial Foundation was established to do various projects related to the May 18 Democratization Movement such as commemorative, scholarship, research, culture, and publication projects."
Conclusion
Altogether 26 Nyeon is quite the watch.
It is a gripping thriller, full with history, passion and emotion. There is no question that it should be on your to watch list.
26 Nyeon is both a powerful, thrilling and entertaining masterpiece. I loved every second of it. Including the breathtaking ending.
The film will keep you watching till the very last second. Leaving you hanging by a thread.
