S.Korean movie 'The Point Men' depicts hostage situation in Afghanistan

연합뉴스 / 2023-01-14 10:07:08

▲This photo, provided by Plus M Entertainment show scene of 'The Point Men.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲This photo, shows casts and director of the movie 'The Point Men' from the press conference. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL January 14 (Yonhap) -- Taliban, Deobandi Islamic fundamentalist and Pashtun nationalist militant political movement in Afghanistan have captured 23 of the South Koreans as hostages and firmly asked to pull back all of the soldiers stationed within Afghanistan within 24 hours given and to release all the Afghan prisoners.

Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jung Jae-ho acted by Hwang Jung-min and National Intelligence service’s agent Park Dae-sik acted by Hyun Bin, collaborates with one another to save the hostages. Despite of their very different approach both agents decides to work together to reach for their ultimate goal of solving the hostage situation.

“The Point Men” which deals with the subject matter of the real life incident which happened in 2007 where Koreans were held a hostage by Afghan armed group showcased very smooth flow of event with amusing acting done by actors throughout the movie.

Director Lim Soon-rye managed to sustain the overall structure of the real event while changing the year of the incident to 2006 throughout the movie while adding various new characters to create the story more interesting. On top everything director focused on two of the protagonists who work very hard to save all of the hostages held against their will by Afghan armed group.

Diplomat Jae-ho is a professional negotiator and very strictly principled character. While doing his best to save all the hostages, he cuts off Dae-sik’s proposal to speak to the Afghan armed group face to face to further the progress, because he considers face to face negotiation with an armed group is the worst tactic in negotiation.

Contrary to Jae-ho, NIS agent Dae-sik is more of a field type of agent. While Jae-ho sits in his desk working with government officials of Afghanistan to solve the case, Dae-sik runs around the streets of Afghanistan to solve the situation using the rules of the streets.

Under the sole idea of saving the hostages two of the protagonists with very distinctive ways of solving problems come to an agreement. Jae-ho’s number one priority becomes saving the people and Dae-sik helps Jae-ho without tackling his ideas in.

“The Point men” showcases translator figure Qasim, by actor Kang Ki-young where he showcases unique and entertaining characteristic which works as a lubricant of polar opposite characters acted by Hyun Bin and Hwang Jung-min.

First ever South Korean movie to have featured Afghanistan as the background “The Point Men” showcase unique authentic visuals throughout the movie. Scenes filmed in Jordan and cuts of Afghanistan filmed by the local staff members add more realistic aspect to the movie.

Unlike director Yim Soon-rye’s films, her way of showcasing various colors attract the audience. Director Yim Soon-rye known for her movies “Little Forest” from 2018, “Forever the Moment” from 2007 which emphasizes humanism aspect throughout the movie showcases actions scenes that will make viewers sit at the edge of their seats.

Climax of the movie comes appears towards the last 30 minutes of the movie where Jae-ho and the leader of the Taliban seats across a table to negotiate. The scene which includes minimal action with just lines and facial expression is extremely dynamic compare to any other action scenes.

‘’Perspective is very important, that is because depending on which angle you see, the story could come out very differently,” adding “I thought by using the mysterious place Afghanistan, gruesome armed group Taliban, and South Korean agents struggling to save the hostage at a foreign soil it I would be able to create something unique.” addressed director Yim Soon-rye throughout the press conference.