The Leading Line (Gojijeon)

A Showbox/Mediaplex presentation of the TPS Co. production in colaboration with A-Po Films. (Worldwide sales: Showbox/Mediaplex, Seoul.) Created by Lee Woo-jung, Kim Hyun-cheol. Executive producer, You Jeong-hoon. Directed by Jang Hoon. Script, Park Sang-yeon.With: Shin '-kyun, Ko Soo, Lee Je-hoon, Ryu Seung-soo, Ko Chang-seok, David Lee, Ryoo Seung-yong, Kim Ok-vin, Cho Jin-woong. (Korean, British dialogue)Even though it does not provide a new chapter for that war-is-hell playbook, "The Leading Line" is really a solid if overlong chronicle of the South Korean unit plowing it close to the 38th parallel throughout the 1950-53 conflict. Engaging auds psychologically with strong figures and bittersweet moments of opponents fraternizing from the distance, South Korea's foreign-language Oscar submission became one from the year's greatest domestic hits, with 2.95 million admissions since its This summer 20 release, and won the very best prize in the national Golden Bell honours. Offshore theatrical exposure seems unlikely, however the pic's high-quality action footage bodes well for ancillary. Setting is The month of january 1953, 2 yrs after armistice discussions commenced. Designated to research the potential murder of the officer by among their own males and eliminate a suspected communist mole, military intelligence officer Kang Eun-pyo (Shin '-kyun) is sent to Alligator Unit, that is now underneath the command of morphine-addicted Shin Il-yeong (Lee Je-hoon). A ragged squad that lacks discipline and it has come to putting on enemy uniforms to help keep warm, Alligator includes burly joker Yang Hyo-mike (Ko Chang-seok), scared teen Nam Sang-sik (David Lee) and Kim Su-hyeok (Ko Soo), a classic friend of Kang's whose open comments about military brass mark him because the potential traitor. The senselessness of war is represented by Alligator Unit's pursuit to capture Aerok Hill, a little peak around the 38th parallel that's transformed hands with monotonous regularity since hostilities commenced. Forever taking up then retreating in the same chunk of property, Alligator along with a like-minded number of North Koreans established a concealed mailbox on Aerok Hill where gifts are exchanged and letters from Northern soldiers to family members within the South are collected and shipped with no feeling of wrongdoing. These connections between authors and visitors from the letters form a good emotional core, however the tension surrounding Kang's putative mission soon fizzles, and also the pic's message concerning the horror from it all becomes labored after another assault on Aerok Hill. Delivering partial compensation, suspense-smart, are sudden looks with a deadly North Korean sniper performed through the film's sole female cast member, Kim Ok-vin. Credit scripter Park Sang-yeon and helmer Jang Hoon because of not involving in a saber rattling. Given not only token screen time, North Korean figures including damaged commander Oh Gi-yeong (Ryu Seung-soo) seem being just like fed up with the fighting his or her South Korean alternatives. Thesping is okay, without any macho posturing around the corner. Shin is charming because the officer whose feeling of duty is tossed off balance through the stark reality he encounters at Aerok Hill, and Lee Je-hoon is memorable because the youthful commander that has attended hell and in the road of duty. Pictures by d.p. Kim Woo-hyung subtly change from gritty in fight sequences to wash but never glossy in quieter moments. The relaxation from the technical package is topnotch.Camera (color, HD), Kim Woo-hyung editors, Kim Sang-beom, Kim Jae-beom music, Jang Youthful-gyu, Dalparan production designer, Ryu Seong-hie costume designer, Cho Sang-kyung seem (Dolby Digital), Jeong Gwang-ho visual effects administrators, Jeong Seong-jin, Heo Dong-hyeok visual effects, Digital Idea. Examined at Busan Film Festival (Korean Cinema Today), March. 13, 2011. (Also in Vancouver, Hawaii film festivals.) Running time: 133 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com