The film
The film, which caused a national sensation when it was released in 2016, was produced with the motif of the painting "Girls Being Burned" by the late Kang Il-chul. The newly presented screening version adds narratives of women from various Asian countries who experienced the same suffering to the existing content, capturing the cross-border solidarity and friendship of girls who did not let go of each other's hands even in terrible despair.
The released main poster shows 14-year-old Jung-min and 15-year-old Young-hee embracing each other and smiling brightly, with the caption "Only 5 of these smiling girls remain with us. Please hold them before it's too late." It reminds us of the miracle achieved by the gathering of the people's hearts 10 years ago, while contrasting the bright smiles with the cruel reality, clearly evoking a sense of historical responsibility that must not be forgotten.
Ahead of the release, Director Cho Jung-rae issued a "Director's Statement" expressing his urgent feelings, saying "Now only five survivors are alive. Time is really running out."
Director Cho revealed that "the late Kang Il-chul, the real protagonist of the film, passed away in March this year, and following the request from Grandmother Lee Yong-soo, whom I met at a screening in Daegu, I decided to re-release the film." The number of survivors, which was 47 ten years ago, has now decreased to 5.
He continued, "For many victims, true resolution means the Japanese government acknowledging responsibility, formally apologizing, and leaving that history correctly for future generations." He added, "I hope this screening will help people remember the forgotten history again and serve as a small cultural record that remembers the dignity and honor of the victims."
