[HanCinema's Film Review] "Farewell Duman River" + Full Movie

Im Kwon-taek's first film was a testament of what was about to follow in the prolific director's career, since it became a huge hit, particularly due to its anti-Japanese and melodramatic premises.

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Patriotic university student Yeong-woo and his friends, led by teacher Lee-sung, along with a British friend bid farewell to their families and become freedom fighters in Manchuria fighting against the Japanese occupation around the Tumen River. They leave, however, quite a mess behind them. Yeong-woo leaves his pregnant wife, Kang Kyeong-ae, to fend for herself, while the military police are on her heel, pressuring her to reveal her husband's whereabouts. Another girl, Kim Yeon-hwa, sees her brother leaving for Manchuria, while their uncle, who has taken them both in his house, is cooperating with local Police Chief Wakino against the anti-Japanese forces, eventually agreeing to help find the students in the mountains, in exchange for deforestation rights. Meanwhile, Wakino takes a liking to Kim Yeon-hwa, who works at a local inn, and essentially forces her to be his mistress, although the girl is quite manipulative about the fact. Tae-yong eventually forces Kyeong-ae to lead him in the mountain in order to discover the freedom fighters, who have come to consider the girl as a traitor. Even more, Yeong-woo finds himself enchanted by a local girl in the area, In-hyang, who essentially tricks him in a number of ways. Eventually, Tae-yeong and Kyeong-ae arrive at the mountains, while a full blown battle is about to begin.

Im Kwon-taek creates a labyrinthic narrative in his effort to give a role in the story to all his characters, most of which were portrayed by top names of the Korean industry at the time. His purpose, however, of including as many audience-favorite elements is actually met with success, since the romance, melodrama, jingoism/anti-Japanese sentiments, thriller and action are all excellently presented, and actually well embedded in the story. This aspect benefits the most by the fact that the villains are set apart from the beginning, with them appearing particularly despicable. And if Wakino is essentially doing his duty as Japanese, with Jang Dong-hwi giving a majestic performance in the role, Uncle Tae-yeong has no excuse, as he acts against his compatriots just for his own gain, with Heo Jang-kang portraying his despicable nature in the most captivating fashion.

Also interesting is the way the women in the film differ in the way they are portrayed, even if the fact that their lives are dominated by the men around them is irrefutable. In that fashion, Kyeong-ae is a distinct prey of her sex and overall circumstances, which eventually, though, is transformed into a hero through self-sacrifice, with Um Aing-ran giving a truly memorable performance in the part. Yeon-hwa on the other hand, is more of a femme fatale, willing to use her undeniable beauty to survive, by attaching herself to the most powerful "bidder", although her inner struggle never actually leaves her. Moon Jung-suk is also excellent in the role. In-hyang is more like Yeon-hwa, although her ways are that of trickiness instead of seduction (for the most part at least) which actually dictate her fate in the end. Kim Hye-jung-III shines in the part, although in a secondary role.

Apart from all the commentary however, the action pieces of the movie, and the agony the freedom fighters experience daily, are also on a very high level, with the many scenes with fighting in the forests in the mountains being rather well shot, and the final one in the snow utterly impressive. The combination of Choi Ho-jin's cinematography and Kim Hui-su's editing finds its apogee in these scenes, which are on a level much higher than what was the norm for the era in local cinema, and whose quality is rather obvious even if the quality of the film material is rather bad. Lastly, a few scenes with the camera placed on the ground, looking up at the amassed freedom fighters in a circle are rather impactful, and will definitely remind of the similar ones in "Kill Bill" or "Lady Snowblood" if you prefer.

"Farewell Duman River" may be overly jingoistic and melodramatic on occasion, but in general emerges as a great mainstream movie that highlights Im Kwon-taek's talent in the best fashion.

Review by Panos Kotzathanasis

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"Farewell Duman River" is directed by Im Kwon-taek, and features Kim Seok-hun, Hwang Hae, Moon Jung-suk, Um Aing-ran, Jang Dong-hwi, Heo Jang-kang. Release date in Korea: 1962/02/04.