My 2012 film, The Ghosts of Jeju, is still going strong around the world. The seventh language, Russian, it premiered at the Sochi International Film Festival two years ago, and was presented at the Archangel International Film Festival in Russia’s Arctic region in December 2024.
What follows is the film review by a young, university Journalism student from Moscow, whom I met quite by accident last week on our trip to Mount Ai-Petri to watch the sunrise. It turned out to be another of those serendipitous meetings of real significance.
Here is that review:
Review of The Ghosts of Jeju – Russian Version
By Liza Zolotova
University Journalism Student From Moscow
Regis, hello! Yesterday I didn't want to write to you too late. I'm still halfway through your film about Jeju; I took a break in the evening to “digest” it. Today I'll continue watching.
My first impressions… I can’t imagine how much work was done to collect and analyze the information. I remember that the museum provided you with archival footage. To be honest, it gave me goosebumps. I didn’t know much about this political conflict, only about Japan. And this story evokes a feeling of disappointment and injustice. How many bloody stories humanity has experienced. These are my feelings. You are probably wondering how your work will be perceived by the younger generation of zoomers
I was struck by the music. By the middle, I began to notice its importance in the narrative. There is music, with a sad motif and a male voice. And I think it perfectly conveys the emotions of the people. In parallel with the archival interview of the man who saw his father shot. And it stirs emotions. I like that there is a clear political position, but not propaganda, but an attempt to analyze the event and build logic.
At the beginning of the film, it seems that this is a local problem of rallies, but then you realize the scale of the problem that the author raises. And it’s so important to talk about it!!!
The problem is huge and very serious. At the moment you feel disappointment and anger, because people do not deserve such cruel and bloodthirsty actions. people should not suffer because of America's desire to subjugate the whole world and build military bases everywhere. Yes, the world is subordinated to economics and world politics, but this story is about cruelty and literally war.
I really liked the dramaturgy of the film. It is built amazingly and very logically. Perhaps not everyone notices it, but it still has an impact: all the transitions from interviews to archival videos, special music, the connection of the speakers with further narration.
While watching, you are immersed, as if following the author, who leads you deep into the problem. You begin to worry a lot, think about the development of the situation. And you are happy when you see people dancing after the conference, hoping for a small chance of a happy ending.
The film does not feel like propaganda. You try to understand the problem, find the causes and consequences, which is very important. Also, the interviews with the victims are impressive. You want to help them. You want to believe in them. These are incredibly brave and courageous people who are ready to fight to the end.
The culmination of the film for me is the story of the American commander who appears to be a cruel devil. There are no words. And then there are shots of people who are trying with all their hearts to save their island. And this confrontation between good and evil is an important motif of the film.
Also, important footage - the memory of those killed in the 20th century. This is the connection between the past and present conflict. A reminder that the opposition and pressure from America is increasing, and the victims are growing. There will be a harsh comparison, but it reminded me of the memorials, of which there are many in Russia. The memorials are dedicated to Jews and other nationalities who were tortured by the Nazis. I have been to many memorials and museums. And it is terribly painful to realize what people are ready to do for the sake of cynicism and cruelty.
So, I want to say again that it’s really important and huge work.
