[Lee Jong-gil's Film Reading] 'Cinematic Distancing' Ryu Seung-wan's Directing Elevated

Movie 'Mogadishu' Concisely Portrays Characters' Inner Depths
A Film Based on the True Story of South and North Korean Diplomats' Escape in Somalia, 1991
"Will It Affect Inter-Korean Relations? We Focus on the Peace and Joy We Can Gain"

Director Ryu Seung-wan's film Mogadishu is based on a true story. It depicts the escape of diplomats stationed in Mogadishu in January 1991. At that time, Somalia was a land of chaos. The USC (United Somali Congress), led by General Aidid, rose up against Barre's long-standing dictatorship. The urban warfare that ignited in the west spread everywhere, and clashes between government forces and rebels intensified around the presidential palace. Fearing for their safety, Kang Shin-sung, the South Korean ambassador to Somalia (Han Shin-sung in the film), sheltered his staff in the residence guarded by soldiers and police. However, they were attacked by armed assailants, and even the rescue team left. The plight was the same for the North Korean embassy staff they met at the airport. They had been raided by armed robbers eight times. Especially the day before, a gang of twenty bandits stormed in, holding guns to the heads of wives and children, taking away vehicles and household goods. Ambassador Kang persuaded North Korean Ambassador Kim Yong-su to bring them to the residence. After spending three nights and four days together, they escaped to Mombasa Airport in Kenya with the help of the Italian embassy.

After retiring in 1997, Ambassador Kang published a novel titled Escape (2006) based on his experiences. It tells a story of North and South Koreans uniting through warm humanity and compatriot love in a foreign land. He advocates that even in the diplomatic reality where confrontation is inevitable, when faced with a common crisis, one must show tolerance beyond ideology and system. He believes this is the power that can change not only inter-Korean relations but also the great currents of history. This philosophy is expressed not only through the protagonist Han Shin-sung, the South Korean ambassador, but also through the North Korean ambassadors.

"Ambassador Han, please convey my regards to your wife."

"......"

"Ambassador Han, do you know how poetry should be?"

"Poetry?"

"Poetry is more beautiful when it exists as a metaphor within the heart rather than as a simile outside the heart. I learned that in Somalia and am leaving with that."

Director Ryu seems to hope that Mogadishu remains as a metaphor within the audience's hearts. In his previous work Battle: Los Angeles (2017), he faithfully recreated the reality of Hashima Island but disrupted the flow with forced plot twists and melodrama. The motivation for the forced labor victims to unite was weakened. This time, it is different. Even his specialty, action direction, is used as evidence to support the story. The film vividly captures the crisis moments when government forces and rebels clash, patiently observing the harmony between North and South Korea. Even at the moment they join hands, it calmly reflects the characters' inner selves, indicating the inevitable limits. The expression is concise, but the meaning is profoundly deep. Director Ryu said, "I learned that the more dramatic the situation, the more the creator must maintain an appropriate distance." "After completing Battle: Los Angeles, I reflected a lot on myself. I asked what I really liked. While making films without getting excited and focusing on what I want to see, I feel like I am finding my place."

The ending he showed is also close to reality. In the novel Escape, upon arriving at Kenya's Mombasa Airport, Ambassador Han and North Korean Ambassador Kim Yong-su have the following conversation.

"Ambassador Han, thank you very much for everything. From now on, we will take care of our own affairs."

"No, let's not do this here. Let's leave the airport first and discuss what to do."

"No, let's part ways here. (...) We will go on our own. Ambassador Han, we have been living in a nightmare until now. It's time to return to our real positions."

"Understood. Then please take care. I hope the day comes when we meet again. Until then, farewell to all."

The situation that forces them to part is very brief. But the audience fully understands the deep love that has permeated their hearts. They also recognize that the dreadful ideology and system are the byproducts that have frozen their innocent hearts. Acknowledging the stark reality of the divided North and South, the film offers an opportunity to develop previous awareness of the issue. Of course, many feel uncomfortable. Especially now, when inter-Korean relations have become strained. Therefore, films dealing with North-South issues often face considerable difficulties. Director Ryu calmly said, "It does affect production."

"There is a risk that it might affect box office success. You can't afford to worry about inter-Korean relations, so it takes a certain amount of courage. I tend not to be overly concerned. Films like Berlin (2012) and Veteran (2015) were very successful, but I have never made a film aiming for a so-called 'blockbuster.' Of course, it would be great if many audiences come, but the ultimate goal lies elsewhere. It's about inter-Korean relations in our lives. Everyone wants to be free from the risk of war. They want to travel further by land. That's all. I hope it improves in a good direction, but it is regrettable that it keeps being distorted into a political tool. That said, I don't make films hoping they will be the foundation for unification. I focus only on the peace, happiness, and joy we can gain. (...) In the film, Ambassador Han Shin-sung says, 'Sometimes there can be two truths.' It's my favorite line. In life, I often find that what I know and what others know often clash. I hope people think about why I included it in the film."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.