Korean Film Nights 2018: White Badge

Event Synopsis:

Writer Han Ki-jo exists in a kind of daze, floating between his cramped apartment, his editor’s office and into and out of the lives of his various friends and acquaintances. A Vietnam veteran, Han earns money by publishing articles on his experiences while carrying the ambition to someday write a novel on the subject, if he can ever bring himself to put the traumatic tale down on the page. When an old comrade from his Vietnam war days comes back into his life, Han is forced to recount the terrible war-time experiences that have left the lives of both men in ruins. With a career stretching back to the 1950s, Ahn Sung-ki is considered one of Korea’s finest actors; he carries the film here as Han, while ably supported by a standout turn from fellow acting veteran Lee Kyeong-yeong as the damaged Pyon.

Between 1964 and 1973 South Korea, second only to the United States itself, dispatched the most troops of any nation to the Vietnam War. Renowned writer and translator Ahn Junghyo’s first novel White Badge recounts the novelist’s personal experiences as a soldier during the conflict.

Director: Chung Ji-young

Running time: 124mins

Event Date: Thursday 26 April, 7:00pm

Location: KCCUK

FREE Admission, booking essential