Gongjak

2018
PG
2h 17m

ÉVALUATION IMDb

7,3/10

6,6 k

MA NOTE

Liretrailer1 min 12 s

1 vidéo

99+ photos

Drama Thriller

Au milieu des années 1990, un agent secret sud-coréen loyal est pris dans un tourbillon politique comploté par les classes dirigeantes de Corée du Nord et du Sud.Au milieu des années 1990, un agent secret sud-coréen loyal est pris dans un tourbillon politique comploté par les classes dirigeantes de Corée du Nord et du Sud.Au milieu des années 1990, un agent secret sud-coréen loyal est pris dans un tourbillon politique comploté par les classes dirigeantes de Corée du Nord et du Sud.

Voir l’information sur la production à IMDbPro

ÉVALUATION IMDb

7,3/10

6,6 k

MA NOTE

Voir l’information sur la production à IMDbPro

Prix
- 28 victoires et 32 nominations au total

Anecdotes
Actor Jung-min Hwang, who plays the South Korean spy with the code-name 'Black Venus', said of the emphasis of playing his central spy character of Seok-young Park (aka Suk-young Park) in this film: "I spent a lot of time discussing his character with the director [Jong-bin Yoon], and we decided to approach it almost like two separate characters, so that the acting for Park Suk-young would be different for that of 'Black Venus'. For example, when operating in China or North Korea, he is 'Black Venus', not Park Suk-young. He has his own distinctive look, actions and speaking style. I tried to portray 'Black Venus' less as a spy, and more as a kind of businessman. In general, 'Black Venus' and Park Suk-young speak different dialects, the South-eastern Gyeongsang dialect and a standard dialect, so we can think of them as different people."

Gaffes
When Suk-young Park arrives in Pyongyang for the first time and is driven around the city, he goes past the Mansudae Grand Monument which is large statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. At the time this scene is set it only the statue of Kim Il-sung was there. The statue of Kim Jong-il was erected after his death.

Connexions
References Une jolie femme (1990)

Commentaires des utilisateurs30

Commentaire

Commentaire en vedette

9/10

There is no monopoly on common sense on either side of the political fence

Gongjak, internationally known as The Spy Gone North, is a gripping mixture of a drama and a thriller based upon historic events. The movie follows a businessman who works as a South Korean secret agent and who is tasked to infiltrate influential North Korean circles by offering the opportunity to shoot commercials for South Korean products in the remote country. He befriends a North Korean economist who hopes to inspire change in his country. Their friendship is put to a test when South Korean politicians try to influence North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il to attack South Korean civilians in order to influence upcoming elections. The businessman and secret agent overhears the abominable conspiracy and must decide whether he lays low and lets an incredible crime happen or whether he risks his identity and life in order to try to make Kim Jong-Il change his mind.

The Spy Gone North convinces on numerous levels. First of all, the actors are absolutely outstanding and especially lead characters Hwang Jun-min as seemingly blunt but naive businessman and Lee Sung-min as intelligent and resilient economist deliver marvelous performances. The intriguing story gets more tense, dramatic and complex as the movie progresses and especially the last forty-five minutes will keep you on the edge of your seat. The settings are remarkable as the movie takes place in the People's Republic of China, Republic of Korea and Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The crew was obviously not allowed to shoot on location in North Korea and recreated those settings in Taiwan but they still look impressively realistic on screen. One has to applaud the fact that the movie avoids spreading propaganda. The South Koreans are depicted as negatively and at times even worse than North Koreans. Kim Jong-Il is shown as eccentric and socially awkward but also diplomatic and intelligent leader which is a rare perspective. Anyone interested in Korean culture, history and society will particularly admire this movie.

In the end, The Spy Gone North is a tense mixture of a drama and thriller partially based upon historic events. The film's perspective is surprisingly balanced and thought-provoking for anyone interested in Korean culture, history and society. The outstanding acting performances make an already great movie an excellent one which is highly recommended.