Korean blockbuster 'Ode To My Father' screens at U.S.Congress, encore tonight in New York

[tigerandbambi]

'Ode to My Father' screened at U.S. Congress

Updated: June 04 2015

 

The South Korean box-office hit "Ode to My Father" was screened at the U.S. Congress Wednesday as part of efforts to highlight the pains of separated families and the alliance between the two countries.

Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), a decorated Korean War veteran, and Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, hosted the special screening at the Congressional Orientation Theater. It marked the first time a South Korean film has been shown at Congress.

The movie is South Korea's second-highest-grossing film of all time, drawing some 14.2 million viewers since its December release as it struck a chord with older generations who have witnessed how South Korea overcame the 1950-53 Korean War, poverty and other hardships to become what it is today.
 

 

The film, which tells the story of an ordinary father who sacrificed himself to support his family, is known for heart-breaking scenes of a sister of the protagonist being separated from her family during the Korean War and then being reunited with the family decades later.

It is also known for spectacular scenes of a massive evacuation operation that pulled some 105,000 U.S. and South Korean troops and about 98,000 refugees from North Korea to safety in the face of oncoming Chinese and North Korean troops during the war.

Dozens of American and South Korean veterans of the Korean War were among some 200 people attending the screening, including retired Rear Adm. Robert Lunney, who helped evacuate about 14,000 people aboard the S.S. Meredith Victory during the operation.

"People exclaim that we did a very brave thing. All we did, as you know in the military, you carry out your orders and you do your duties. You're not thinking of doing anything courageous. You're doing your job. That's what we did," Lunney said.

"Only in retrospect, we realize perhaps it was something more important," he said.

Lunney said his captain, Leonard LaRue, was the key to the success.

"When I asked why, he said, 'I did the right thing.' He looked on the beach as we did and saw thousands of people. A sea of humanity. There were people and they wanted to be saved and we were there to help them. And he said therefore, there was no decision to be made. We just do the right thing. You go in and you do the best you could," he said.
 

 

Royce said the movie is a "reminder of the losses and the terrible devastation that Koreans faced during the war" and a "reminder about the price paid by so many during those very, very difficult times."

"Today when you visit South Korea, it is phenomenal to see the incredible power, ingenuity, productivity and freedom that people experience in South Korea and our hope in the future is that human rights can come to North Korea as well," he said.

Royce also called for reunions of Korean Americans with their loved ones in the North. Earlier in the day, he and Rangel sent a letter urging Secretary of State John Kerry to work harder to facilitate such reunions.

Rangel said South Koreans built one of the world's largest economies from the war's ashes, but despite such economic successes, he said that "they are still torn from their families."

Also attending the screening was the film's director, Yoon Je-kyoon.

"I am honored that 'Ode to My Father' was screened at a meaningful place like this and I hope this movie will help Americans and veterans get a better understanding of Korea," he told reporters. "As a director, I feel rewarded in that a movie can transcend borders and have effects on many people." (Yonhap)

 

source: kpopherald, koreaobserver

 

Korean Movie Night New York "Special encore screening!"

 

When: Thursday, June 11, 2015 at 6PM - 8:15PM (tonight!)
Where: Asia Society (725 Park Avenue at 70th Street, NYC)

** Note! start time 6:00 pm
** Program followed by a reception.
** Free admission for 100 seats. First-come, first-served. Line forms at 5:00 pm.
** Tickets are distributed at 5:30 pm. One ticket per person only.

 

source: koreanculture

 

For those who want to watch it: The movie played/still plays in many countries worldwide, you can ask your local theatres or ask for it to be screened on asian film festivals. Good luck

   

[elfyeol]

my comment is probably a mini spoiler(?)

 

I'm pretty sure that this is the movie that my uncle claimed was the "saddest movie he ever watched" and just when you think it can't get any more sad even more/worse depressing stuff continues to occur

 

he also said that it was the first time he ever cried during a movie

I wanna watch but I cry easily during sad movies and idk if I'm ready for the emotional ride  

 

[tigerandbambi]

my comment is probably a mini spoiler(?)

 

I'm pretty sure that this is the movie that my uncle claimed was the "saddest movie he ever watched" and just when you think it can't get any more sad even more/worse depressing stuff continues to occur

 

he also said that it was the first time he ever cried during a movie

I wanna watch but I cry easily during sad movies and idk if I'm ready for the emotional ride  

 

 

I absolutely understand your father <3

 

A korean friend of mine told me that Ode To My Father really shows you how the people of Korea have suffered for almost a century and how they overcame the hurdles of war and devastation. She said it's an incredible movie and everyone who wants to learn about korean history can get a solid basis watching it.

[beri]

I'm extremely glad so many people enjoy it, it's such a great movie and the cast is amazing ^^