The Korean Cinema has transformed from a hidden gem into a well-known cinematic destination. This was primarily due to Parasite. Boon Joon-ho had already delivered masterpieces before this film. One of them is Memories of Murder, which MeinMMO editor Nikolas Hernes can only recommend.
What is Memories of Murder about? In a small Korean village in 1986, women are found murdered. Three investigators must tackle a case that was unparalleled in Korean history. The investigators have different approaches to solving the case.
The film was released in 2003 and was only the second film by the now Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho, who celebrated his great international success in 2019 with Parasite. MeinMMO editor Nikolas Hernes finds Memories of Murder even better than Parasite. This is also due to the true story behind the film.
You can purchase or rent Memories of Murder on Apple TV or Amazon Prime. If you have a library card, you can watch the film for free on filmfriend.
The film is among the best Korean films of all time: These are the 7 best Korean films of all time via IMDb
An Unparalleled Thriller
What makes Memories of Murder so special? The film is different from any other thriller I have seen. This is mainly due to the place and time. South Korea in 1986 was technologically not as advanced in police work as one might expect from American thrillers.
The film shows the lack of professionalism at the crime scenes and how attempts are made to solve the case. However, this is not just a sign of laziness and deliberate misconduct. Such a case simply did not exist in Korea before. The film showcases the limitations and mistakes that were made.
This is fantastically embodied by the actors. Song Kang-ho plays the main role alongside Kim Sang-kyung. Song plays the provincial investigator who wants to solve the case quickly, even though the evidence often points against his suspects. Kim plays the educated professional from the capital.
Throughout the film, they often argue in a humorous manner, yet the longer the film goes on, the more one realizes how the despair of both grows. The pressure becomes greater and greater, yet they cannot catch the perpetrator.
One line has lodged itself in my mind, which shows the moment when the arrogant provincial detective is utterly desperate. He asks the investigator from Seoul: Do you see something like this often in Seoul?
As he looks at Song with sad eyes. This is a subtle moment, but it perfectly illustrates how dire the situation is.
A Film That Stays in Memory
What makes this film special? The film can best be compared to Zodiac or True Detective. The atmosphere is often oppressive and frustrating because many of the investigators’ actions prove to be useless. Every hope is ultimately shattered.
What this film does particularly well is the choice of tone. Not everything is always sad or dramatic. There are also funny scenes that make the tragic scenes feel even harsher. This is a feature that many Korean films, including Parasite, achieve.
The film is also beautifully shot. Often there are wide shots with individual characters. Dramatic images that burn themselves into memory. All of this is supported by a fantastic soundtrack.
Memories of Murder becomes even more intense when one looks at the true story behind the film.
A True Tragic Case
What is the film based on? Memories of Murder is based on the Hwaseong murders, which actually occurred between 1986 and 1991. As The Korean Herald reported, it was not possible to catch the perpetrator at that time due to many errors and technical limitations. The shocking aspect for the Korean population was the brutality of the murders and the frustration that the investigations were not working.
At that time, a witness and samples of the perpetrator, such as fingerprints and hair, could be found, and even a description of the perpetrator existed. But this led to nothing. DNA analysis was not possible at that time, and only a few Western countries used this technology.
The investigation methods were also criticized, as suspects stated they had been tortured. The failed case showed the country how poor the investigation methods were.
Although the film was able to revisit the case in 2003, it did not help. The murders were statute-barred in 2006. In 2019, during the release of Parasite, the murders could finally be solved. With modern DNA technology, it was discovered that Lee Chun-jae was the murderer.
At that time, he was already serving a life sentence in prison and admitted to the crimes. His blood type was different from what was thought. If the correct blood type had been identified earlier, he could have been caught sooner, and innocent people would not have been tortured or imprisoned by the police.
Memories of Murder has incorporated all the real aspects into the film. It is frustrating to witness it all, but also fascinating. Even in 2003, Bong Joon-ho demonstrated that he was one of the great directors. You can find a lighter action film from South Korea here: This Korean action star delivers slaps like Bud Spencer – You can watch the film with Prime subscription
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