Director Woo Min-ho revealed the reason why he directed the movie "Harbin."
Director Woo Min-ho, who provided sharp insight into the modern world with "The Chiefs of Namsan," has released a new film.
"In Harbin" is about General Ahn Jung-geun and the independence army.
In an interview, director Woo Min-ho said, "I wanted to put my heart into the film." He said, "At first, I received an offer from the production company's president, but I said, 'I can't do it.' General An Jung-geun was too strong."
"They were also heroes, and my previous work dealt with modern history in a socially critical way, so I didn't have the courage to deal with those who sacrificed themselves for the country," he recalled.
"After that, I called to ask if the director had been decided yet, but he said that he hadn't. I can read the script.
I was surprised when I read it after hearing about it. The previous films were purely entertainment films. I said I'd like to try it, but I want to make something that has weight, not entertainment, and I'll do it if they agree to that."
The director added, "Harbin is different from recent films. It's the same with short forms, but I think people are too used to things moving along quickly. With Harbin, I was able to get to the essence of things.
"I started to think about it again, and I wanted to shoot it in a classic style. There were few cuts and close-ups," he said. "I didn't want to make the audience cry with the acting. I wanted to make it calm but powerful.
"I wanted to create a strong and sublime feeling. I believed that if I filmed it with sincerity, the audience would understand," he emphasized.
Regarding this, he said, "I'm embarrassed to admit it, but something welled up inside me without even realizing it. While I was filming this film, I was grateful to those people, but at the same time, I felt sorry.
"The actors and staff all approached the production with that same feeling. I couldn't help but recall the scenes I saw on the news (during martial law). I was deeply moved when I saw the citizens fending off the martial law troops unarmed."
"I hope that no one will become like General An Jung-geun and the independence army, and that this film will provide strength and healing to those living in this era. I hope that this film will be one that people can revisit when they are in difficult times.
"Harbin" is currently showing in Korea.
