[.ca] The Coast Guard

How dangerous and far-reaching can an act of violence be?:
Did you know that South Korea's coastline is monitored by soldiers that, after dusk, shoot anybody in sight in order to prevent the infiltration of spies? I didn't, but I learnt that peculiar fact after watching "The Coast Guard" (2002). "The Coast Guard" is directed by Kim Ki-duk, a South Korean already well-known for previous art house movies ripe with symbolism. In this case, Kim Ki-duk wanted to make a film that helped spectators to understand what Korea is going through, as a country divided in two, enduring ongoing antagonism between North and South Korea. The director believes that only through knowledge and understanding can real reconciliation be achieved, and he strived to contribute towards that end with this film. The main character is Private Kang (Dong-Kun Jang), a soldier from the Coast Guard Platoon that accidentally shoots a civilian, believing he is a spy. That event changes his life, and that of those around him, showing us how dangerous and far-reaching an act of violence can be. Kim Ki-duk tried to juxtapose the natural beauty of Korea with the ugliness of war, and I think that he succeeded quite well. "The Coast Guard" is a film about tragedy, fear and despair, and as such is not the kind of movie most people are likely to enjoy. All the same, I believe that it is worth watching, and that is the reason why I give it 3 stars. - Belen Alcat, June 2007 -