[Interview] Director Han Jaerim: "I Wanted to Portray Villains as Disasters, Solidarity, and Hope"

'Emergency Declaration' Director Han Jae-rim
First New Work in 5 Years, Third Collaboration with Song Kang-ho
Timely Subject Reminiscent of the Pandemic
74th Cannes Film Festival Non-Competitive Screening
"Imagination Became Reality... It Was Astonishing"

Hanjaerim / Photo by Showbox

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Storyteller director Han Jae-rim, who directed 'The Purpose of Love' (2005), 'Elegant World' (2007), 'The Face Reader' (2013), and 'The King' (2017), returns with the aviation disaster film 'Emergency Declaration.' Known for balancing both artistic quality and box office success, earning him the reputation of both a 'hit director' and an 'auteur director,' he has reflected universal events in special circumstances and special stories within universal realities. This time, he unfolds a timely disaster in a modern way.

On the 3rd, in an interview about the film 'Emergency Declaration,' director Han Jae-rim said, "After presenting it to audiences at last year's Cannes Film Festival, I heard various stories. It feels like releasing it once again. I am excited, nervous, and also scared to meet the audience."

'Emergency Declaration' refers to an emergency situation where an aircraft faces a disaster and normal operation is no longer possible, leading to a mandatory emergency landing. The film, based on this theme, depicts a situation where a plane must land immediately due to an aviation terror incident and tells the story of people confronting the disaster. Actors Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-hun, Jeon Do-yeon, Im Si-wan, and Kim Nam-gil complete the drama with stable performances.

Director Han recalled, "After finishing 'Elegant World' and before 'The Face Reader,' I received the script for 'Emergency Declaration.' It was about an aircraft terror incident, depicting events inside and outside the plane." He continued, "I faced ethical issues. Disaster causes fear, but where does fear originate?"

He added, "I wanted to show humanity transforming into psychological fear while reflecting healing and hope. Looking at disasters in Korean society and worldwide, I wanted to paint hope. Metaphorically, I think it was a question about how humans overcome fear and terror."

"After the pandemic, cinematic imagination unfolded in reality. I felt a shocking emotion wondering, 'How did imagination become reality?' which was painful. What I deeply empathized with was that we are overcoming disasters sincerely and meaningfully. That too was happening as imagined."

The director said he wanted to reflect human solidarity. He said, "Unlike other species, I believe humans have a unique sense of solidarity. I was impressed by a scene in Italy where people came out of their rooms and sang together outside their windows. Warmth and solidarity might be what helps overcome disasters occurring in the world."

Through a year-long pre-production process, the aviation disaster was completed. This enhanced technical perfection in scenes such as high-altitude free fall, zero gravity, and 360-degree rotation. Director Han Jae-rim said his biggest concern was 'realism.' He said, "Many people board a plane. There are many constraints in depicting it realistically. The seats are narrow, and it was difficult for both passengers and crew to enter for filming. To portray an intense crisis, we built a gimbal set. To give realism, the cinematographer actually boarded and held the camera by hand to shoot the characters."

Director Han's perfectionism shines again in this work. He said, "During the plane shoot, the aircraft captain sat beside me to verify hand gestures and other details. We even calculated the time required to produce placards."

Director Han Jae-rim and Song Kang-ho collaborated for the third time after 'Elegant World' and 'The Face Reader.' The director emphasized, "I decided that if Song Kang-ho didn't do it, I wouldn't do it either."

Song Kang-ho, Director Han Jae-rim / Photo by Showbox

"On the ground, In-ho is a very challenging role. How much appeal this character has is important, and how the events of one day are expressed within a short running time balances the overall story. Working with Song Kang-ho was familiar. I relied on him and had comfortable conversations. As an actor, a senior, and an adult, he is someone I can lean on emotionally."

Director Han hopes the audience feels healing through the film. He said, "I most want to hear that their hearts have warmed and that they feel healed. Though it is scary and difficult, being sincere to oneself is very hard, but I wanted to hold onto that hope." He added, "This is not a terror film but a disaster film. To me, the villain is simply the disaster."

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