Jayu manse (1946) User Reviews

The start of something new.

[nathanpollard-34-591307 · 6/10 · 28 September 2014]

Viva Freedom or Hurrah For Freedom as it also know by, is the first truly Korean film still in existence. A handful of films from the period of the Japanese Occupation are still in print but were severely restricted in terms of topic and style. Viva Freedom is the first film made after Korea achieved independence. The film is not complete and it is actually unknown as to how much footage has been lost. This and the urge to create a response to fresh history gives the film a frantic, unpolished feel. It also makes the story difficult at time to follow. Essentially the film concerns itself with freedom fighters battling the Japanese in the latter stages of World War 2. Of the footage that survives we are confronted with a range of characters and varying involvements in the struggle for independence. The film is important historically as the start of a new, independent Korea cinema but also politically; showing how different factions unified to fight an external enemy who would in 4 years after the films release be at war with each other.

South Korea's 'Paisa'

[richardchatten · 6/10 · 22 February 2019]

Shot largely on attractive pre-civil war locations in Seoul, the lively Russian-style editing made livelier still by 70's censorship cuts, the end result is disjointed but absorbing. It was plainly shot silent and embellished by raiding the makers' record collection for incongruous classical pieces to embellish the action, starting with Copland's 'Fanfare for the Common Man' over the opening credits.