Produced by Young Film co-produced by ShinCine
production sponsors B+Pictures, noonfilm, KOFIC
I don't agree with your ideals
But if someone deters you because of your ideals
I will stand by you regardless - Voltaire -
executive producers Park Kun-sub, Hong Ki-sun
producers Kim Shin-hee, Jung Sung-hoon
screenplay Lee Maeng-yoo
director of photography Oh Jeong-ok
lighting director Lee Min-boo
editor Lee Eun-soo
music by Choi Yoon-sang
location sound Noh Chun-kil
sound supervisor Yang Dae-ho
I had a dream once
I'm not sure if I can fulfill that dream
and it doesn't matter
Even if it doesn't come true
I'll keep dreaming that dream
If there's destiny in life and I could avoid it
I might wish to do so
But...
By joining the rebel army
and breaking the National Security Law
On Aug. 15, 1952 we sentence Kim Sun-myung
to 15 years in prison
directed by Hong Ki-seon
For spying for the North
and breaking the National Security Law
on July 25, 1953 we sentence
Kim Sun-myung to death
THE ROAD TAKEN
February 27, 1954
After a retrial of the accused Kim Sun-myung
we finally sentence him to life imprisonment
From Seoul Prison to Mapo Penitentiary
to Daegu, Daejeon, Mokpo
and back to Daejeon
I was transferred to many different prisons
and I met many comrades while trapped inside my cell
I was an ignorant laborer before
But one day I began to recite Pushkin's "Song of Siberia"
and became a veteran inmate
And then in 1970
I...
I faced a big test to my fate as if it was waiting for me
And with people I'll never forget
Move it!
Hurry and go into your cells!
Comrade Ahn!
Comrade Kim!
Welcome
Nice to see you again
Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you
Comrade Kim
/'m Kim Sun-myung from Mokpo
Choi In-gyu from Gwangju How was Mokpo Prison?
Humane Gave me toasted rice
I envy you!
You're lucky
I haven't had toasted rice for 18 years
What's the matter?
I was thinking of my mother
Time to eat!
Let's eat
I'm freezing, hurry up
I'm going in Oh, it's cold
It looks like the needlework of Master Lee Young-woon
Is Master Lee here?
He gave me one, too
Is he healthy?
What cell is he in?
I haven't seen him since we left Daegu Prison
Guwol Mountain Guwol Mountain
The home of partisans the home of partisans
For my country for my country
Raise it up high
Oh, it's cold
My nickname is Jindo Dog
And I'm still single
I'll get married after the North and South marries
Now Jindo Dog will sing the 'Arirang' song for you
Cell 15! Quiet down!
3279, you're being moved to another cell
- Comrade Ahn - Comrade Park
- Comrade Nam - Comrade Park
- Comrade Kim - Comrade Park
My nickname is Lark
I'd like more rice from you for two days
They've starved me for a few days, you see
This is good medicine for back aches
Here Take it
Try it
I'm sorry
Hunger is one thing I can't hold back
Write
And erase
Let me try it
This is amazing
Comrade Kim we should be careful with this
Comrade Kim you're talented
'Black bean noodles'
All you think about is food
'Hometown'
Reminds me of home
Reunification
What's that?
Who made this?
- Do you all want to die? - I made it
You again?
What's this for? Tell me or come out!
- You see... - What do you want?
Well...
You see it's for drawing
What? Drawing?
For drawing, I see
Wait, what's after this 'Re... '?
It's reunification Reunification
What? Reunification?
- Nixon made a statement - About what?
- I heard they'll let us play sports - It's not true
President Park declared a state of emergency
A Korean Japanese student was put in cell 5
One of those thugs snatched holiday candies from us
Let's get them back
The North and South are developing talks
July 4, 1972 at 10 A.M.
Pyongyang and Seoul made a joint statement
1st, to discuss reunification without foreign interference
2nd, to discuss reunification by peaceful means
3rd, reunification by national solidarity not by ideologies
They compromised on these conditions
Comrades, the North and South will both join the UN
Reunification is coming!
Am I dreaming?
I feel so ecstatic!
Comrades
Comrade Kim, pinch me
Mother
Comrade Kim now it's time for you to marry
The suffering is over
If the statement is true
I'll live a happy life with my family in my hometown
It's been so long since I slept with a woman
Comrade Kim you have no woman, right?
I'll introduce you to one
Great!
You're 40 something, right?
But I still feel like a boy
But Comrade Kim can you still perform?
What are you doing?
The North-South negotiating committee has been established
And the North-South Red Cross meeting will be held soon
They'll probably mention us
The North knows about how we're suffering
so they'll talk about an exchange of political prisoners
Comrade Choi you must be happy
Now you can sleep well after visiting hours
I've envied Comrade Kim for having no one to come see him
Letters and visiting hours hurt more than the tortures
I felt like dying then
It's too early for optimism
In reality it's not that easy
I'll make you all sleep with a sexy woman tonight
Comrade Nam, there's a way to dream of a woman
This smells like a woman's scent, right?
Come on stand up and dance
Bed time!
Sweet dreams everyone
I'll send a woman into your dreams tonight
Her soft pink skirt is waving before my eyes
On the hill of my hometown her face delights me
I'm running to her in my dream
Here! It's a special meal!
Do you know what this is?
- Isn't it a boiled egg? - What's gotten into them?
- It's been so long - These are great times
Eggs, eggs, boiled eggs
It reminds me of my wife
3237!
- What are you doing? - Don't you know?
I haven't been this touched in the last 20 years in jail
Okay, okay
While we're at it how about
10 more minutes for showers?
I'll go ask the supervisor so get off my back
Sure thing
If we sing louder they won't
know where it's coming from
Eggs, eggs boiled eggs
It reminds me of my wife
Hey! Hey!
Hooray! Hooray!
The flame of reunification is flaring up
I'm not sure
They said we'll be reunified so aren't you happy?
No one knows yet
You're not happy about reunification?
I'm happy
If it happens I'll have to look for another job
Like me
don't you think you'll be out of a job, too?
What do you mean by that?
Isn't your job to achieve reunification?
Maybe so
But think I'll have nothing to do later?
Instead I'll be able to do what I wanted
First, I'll get married
And...
I used to run a bicycle shop before the war
So I want to open a small bicycle factory
What about you?
No health problems, right?
It's the interview form
Fill it out
Frankly, I do want reunification
but not through the North
I don't understand you
And I don't have the ability to change you
Whichever way isn't reunification good?
Then do you want the South to lead the way?
Why hasn't there been any news?
It’ll happen soon
Hopefully so
Comrade Kim, if you get freed what will you do?
As for me...
We won't be totally free but a sentence reduction
is possible like in the 60s
Emotions are our enemy
Comrade Kim face up to reality
And you too Comrade Lark
To give Comrade Nam hope is good
but have you ever considered how he'll feel if he's let down?
Don't you think you're being too pessimistic?
You're rather romantic than optimistic
You're always too careless
Let's analyze the situation
Hear that anti-North program?
Unification Revolutionary Party Korean Japanese spies...
Think a sentence reduction matters now?
But they say that three years for us...
How was your wife?
And your daughter?
My fellow citizens
Respecting your earnest wish for peace and prosperity
I'd like to announce some pivotal decisions
First, from October 17, 1972 at 7 P.M..
the National Assembly will be dissolved
parties' political activities will be halted
These are some of the clauses that will become invalid
Nice to meet you
I'm Oh Tae-shik your correctional officer
South Korea is the republic of freedom and democracy
As part of our New Village Movement
we've removed old homes and widen the roads
to modernize our country
So having political prisoners in such a great country
is totally unacceptable
So my squad will do its best to re-educate you all
I hope you'll convert quickly and embrace the freedom land
That is all
Stop staring you bastards before I pull your eyes out!
Whoever here can't convert then raise you hand
Good, now you got it
This is national business
It means I'll be patriotic for the first time in my life
If anyone of you bastards goes against me
I'll make you regret you were born, got it assholes?
Who was it?
Sons of bitches, now I can let out my sexual frustration
You fucking commies!
That's enough!
You sons of bitches!
Do you want to die?
Filthy bastard, kill me
Instead of selling my soul to you beasts
I'd rather die
and send my soul up Baekdu Mountain alone!
Fine, I'll kill you
I'll count to ten
If you change your mind then tell me with respect
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten!
You're lucky today
You commies you wanna die?
Fine, then I'll kill you Who wants to die?
You? You?
You?
Who wants to die?
3596!
Sorry to disturb your meal
Come out
Comrade Choi...
Go in
Boys, it's time for orientation
Show some respect! Move back to the toilet!
You bastard who told you to sit there?
You should first bow down to the boss
Look away you disrespectful bastard
Bastard
Bastard!
Wanna die?
3596, feeling good?
You look good
Does it tickle?
Don't screw with me!
Or you'll be dead meat
Who is it?
Be strong It's Lee Young-woon
It's Kim Sun-myung Take care of yourself!
You give me strength!
Eat!
It's snowing
Father, I love you but I can't understand you
It's so upsetting that we have to be like this
Father, I want to run to you and see you always
but the high wall you made blocks us from coming in
Father, please let us in
Don't you know how much your beliefs turn us away?
I'm going to convert
I feel like I could do more outside than staying in here
I don't care if you call me a sell-out
It's not because of my dying mother
Or that my older brother changed my mind
I'm not learned enough to lead this fight
and I'm not a strong person
I won't convert behind your backs
This is my life and my choice
I dislike you all now
I hate when Comrade Kim frowns when it rains
I hate listening to Comrade Choi snoring
And the screams drive me crazy
Every morning I wake up worried I'll get beaten
I feel like my head will explode
Comrade Nam!
I hate being born and having to live in this divided country
I don't care about reunification
Have you lost your mind? What's wrong with you?
Why? Am I wrong?
Why? Why?
Come on Let's forget the politics
and talk honestly like human beings
Be honest, comrades
Aren't you scared of hearing their footsteps?
And scared of being beaten or starved to death?
Comrade Nam you're crazy!
Comrade! Comrade!
Comrade Kim
Will it come?
If it comes, I will bear it
and I will even die for it
What are you saying?
Comrade Kim what should I do?
I'll do what you tell me
I'm sorry, comrades
Do you know whose interview form this is?
I was wondering who'd be so bold to do this
There's no answer and even no name
Is it some protest?
3596!
Think us KCIA agents care at all whether you live?
You could die for this
Born in 1925 in Yangpyeong Gyeongki Province
A previous factory worker longshoremen, ice cream seller
Captured at the 38th parallel for a reconnaissance mission
I asked around and
I heard you're a docile guy
Drink the coffee
I don't like coffee
Suit yourself
I'd like to take you outside for some fresh air
I'm already content with my exercising session
I'd prefer you extend the session instead
3596, you're quite stubborn
Okay, you can go
But I'll be watching you
I hope you don't follow them so blindly
I don't give second chances
Why?
Got something to say?
- Go - Although justice may seem to fail
from a historical perspective it has always prevailed
Reunification is our ideal hope and I'll never give up
Ideal hope? Justice?
Communism is mankind's enemy now and forever!
Comrades!
Comrade Ahn!
Master Lee!
- Comrade Nam! - Nice to see you again
- Comrade Choi! - Master Lee!
- Comrade Kim! - Master Lee!
How have you been? It's been so long
How is your health?
I wonder why they put us all together
Never know when they'll change their minds again
Even though they're pretending to be nice
Oh, I should've asked for some more of this
I heard you were in solitary confinement for over 40 days
Are you really okay?
Recite that song you sung in Daegu
I longed to hear it
A place where the cuckoo sings...
Master Lee, I'm fine I'm not cold
A dog's nose has to be warm for it to sleep
but people need their feet to be warm
But why did you wake up?
Because your singing was off key
A place where the cuckoo sings
It's my beautiful hometown
Where labor brings happiness
Where labor makes flowers bloom...
While I, Park Jae-yong
have served time for breaching the National Security Law
I have realized South Korea's progress, and was touched
Now, I regret my crime
and swear that I will never do any communist acts again
And I will also be loyal
to the law and order of South Korea
We have to make a decision
Don't you think it's too excessive?
I also think we're too fatigued to make that decision
Then do you have an alternative?
Is starving to death or getting beaten to death any different?
It would be better dying on a full stomach though
Dying is not the issue
it's whether it will help end things
Even if we starve to death
I don't think it'll change them at all
So do you have any other plan?
If you don't then don't speak
Comrade Kim
Have you forgotten the principles of our cause?
Leaving this only as an individual fight right now
is an irresponsible thing to do
Comrade Kim
don't you think it's wrong to excuse yourself by
- pretending to care for others? - What did you say?
You're always dogmatic and criticize others all the time
Comrade Kim are you done?
What's wrong with you two?
A mountain has more than one trail to climb
Both of you are right Let's climb slowly
I agree with Comrade Ahn
Comrade Nam
Will it be okay with your weak stomach and health?
I'll overcome it for our cause
The majority of us has agreed so I'll pass the message
If that's the decision I'll abide
Did you hear him Master Lee?
If we go on a hunger strike we'll have to fight many forces
It could be tough
You may be right
Their methods of coercion are changing
and our physical conditions are very different
Let's wait for the right time to fight back
But...
You!
Come out
You've all done a great job!
Mr. Park, congratulations for being second in conversions
Mr. Song, work harder so you can move to a bigger place
Mr. Park, I heard you're buying a house
Good for you!
Let's toast to working harder!
Cheers!
What are you doing?
Remember that your body is not only yours
Struggle against the food comrade
I'm sorry
I'll listen to you from now on Master Lee
I won't eat anything spicy or salty
and I'll chew 80 times before swallowing
What's going on in here? Who's making all the racket?
I was
Are you fucking crazy old man?
- Hello - Hello
You'll have to move to another cell
Please come out
I'm being transferred
Comrade Nam remember your promise
Master Lee
Don't worry
He'll be released soon with Mrs. Yook's help
She's the President's wife you know
She's close to his family
And since they've been friends since childhood
she'll help him
Even if she does he won't accept her help
- Please drink - Thank you
Bring our guest a nice suit!
Let's go see the 31st Building
On the way, we'll see the New Town Movement's works
and a newly developed Seoul
The New Town Movement?
It was already done long ago by the Japanese
Is that right?
As I heard you're very well-learned
You could become a judge or a congressman
but why waste your time here?
Can you pick a comfortable life over your beliefs?
You should do more for the people outside
Even if it's for the people
I cannot sell my conscience
You're also working for the people, right?
So I bet you're also upset seeing people die here
Your cousin from Seoul is waiting for you
You bastards I won't be forced!
If the correctional officer let you go outside
you should be grateful and sign it!
You bastards!
Let's see how much you can take
Sign it!
Be humane, you bastards!
Humane!
What the hell is the problem with converting them?
We're doing our best but they're so stubborn
So what?
So you're saying we should treat them nice?
Wake up, you fools!
They're commies!
You could lose your jobs
Use your heads Your heads aren't for barbers!
Long time ago there was a famous monk
This man tried everything to take the monk's clothes off
But the monk never took them off
So do you know how the man did it?
- Mr. Song! - Yes, sir
Call the ones who converted
Nowadays clothes get fitted
So treat them each differently
You must be hungry It's okay to eat
Honey, eat this
Why are you so nervous?
Go ahead and eat
Are you impotent?
Relax, it's all right
You son of a bitch!
Want to sign it with a full stomach or after a beating?
I don't get why I have to make you eat to convert
You son of a bitch!
Guard!
Why make it so hard on yourself?
Isn't it better to sign this and get released
rather than die like a dog in here?
Die like a dog?
Forget it
The President himself ordered this
since the North keeps harping about political prisoners
You were born in the South and your whole family's here
So don't be stubborn
- Is it my fault? - Who said it was your fault?
What matters is the state you're in
I'd rather die than sell my conscience
- So please stop trying - What's the point in dying?
The longer I want to live the more servile I am
Do you know what I realized in here?
It's about choice
It's not choosing between two it's about discarding one
On Independence Day as I was repairing a bicycle
someone ran with a flag and yelled, 'Korea is free!'
'Whether rich or poor everyone can be happy!'
Know how much these words touched a young man?
Mr. Song. You said 'die like a dog' right?
Did we steal anything or kill someone?
All we did was hope for reunification
Know what I'm afraid of the most?
That I'll give in before I die
Whenever I feel like vomiting
I say to myself 'I'll convert, I'll convert'
'How hard will I get beaten again tomorrow?'
Are you Sun-mi?
You look just like your mother
Thank you
You were always a child in my dreams
I'm sorry to you and your brother
Please understand
I've come to ask you a favor
Please don't bother my life any more
Go home now
You'll understand me someday
I can never understand you
Where were you when those kids called me a commie
and pushed me off the bridge?
I was so scared then
You're like a big burden on my back
To our family and to my life
I still dream of falling off that bridge
I hate you
I'm very sorry
I'm getting married
You're such a weak
and cunning son of a bitch
Hey asshole, are you human?
Get inside
- Welcome, Comrade Choi - Comrade Park
- Comrade Kim - Comrade Choi
Please sit down
You must've been through a lot
They must've beaten you a great deal
By the way
how are Comrades Nam, Ahn, and Kim?
They're all fine
Heard everyone in cell 12 are being punished
They seem to have some way of getting information
I heard they were brutally questioned
Why did they call you?
Like always...
Like always?
You know
Anyway, has something gone wrong?
What did they ask you?
This and that and the usual threats
But Comrade Choi you look totally fine
That's strange
Why did they only talk to you?
I can't go back in there
Please, I'll do anything but that...
Son of a bitch
You lied and said you were important
Fine
Lick it
While I, Choi Jong-man
have served time for breaching the National Security Law
I have realized South Korea's progress, and was touched
Now, I regret my crime
and swear that I will never do any communist acts again
And I will also be loyal
to the law and order of South Korea
3596!
3869!
3782!
3160!
3185!
Gifts from outside!
Bread
Candy
Exercise time!
Comrade Joh, throw it away
Try to hold on even if you're hungry
Don't lose your self-esteem
Exercise is over!
It's gotten moldy
But it's still edible
It's the blood and sweat of all laborers and farmers
It would be a waste
I should eat it
I should be thankful and eat it
Comrade Joh, throw it away
Don't lose your self-esteem
Comrade Kim
Have you heard about Master Lee Ki-baek?
- He converted - Master Lee Ki-baek?
No way
He's no master
He swore he'd never let them coax him into converting
What?
Greeting the guards is like greeting the enemy?
He always acted like he was the most principled
I despise him
Everyone thought he was the most intellectual
- He must've had some reason - Maybe
But we'll rot away here without anyone knowing
Like a shout without an echo
What are you talking about?
Maybe he converted to find an echo
Comrade
Let's stop talking
Comrade Kim, take this
- Comrade Park - Hurry and take it
I got it from a convict
Eat it and take care of yourself
'The dark night will vanish
and freedom will sincerely welcome you'
'Within the dark deeps hope will awaken courage...'
Who did you give the medicine to?
You hid them, didn't you?
Tell me now!
You better hurry and tell me, damn it!
Please don’t joke with the medicine!
I didn't give it to anyone
Shit, then why are three pills missing?
Rotten bastards!
You know I can't live a day without my medicine!
Then tell me who you gave them to
Or otherwise convert and I'll let you slide
You spit at me?
Come out!
How dare you lie down during inspection?
Sit straight!
Is he sick? Open the door!
Han Baek-yul, born in 1922 Seoul, died of osteomyelitis
Park Byung-il, died on the March 9 prison uprising
Park Yoon-ki
Park Yoon-ki!
Block communication Right
I'll put the convicts between the cells
Young-ja, my sister
Are you all right over there?
Your brother here...
Stop it!
Comrade Kim how's your health?
Are you feeling better?
I'm being watched isolated, and beaten...
They've gone too far
Rotten bastards
Since we were born human
we should live and die as a human
What do you mean?
Since they blocked the way we communicate
we can't even know who's dead
If this continues we'll all die
Someone must stand up to end this oppression
What do you mean?
Master Lee please be careful
Comrade Kim, take care
Master Lee Young-woon is dead!
Bring him back to life! Bring Master Lee back!
Bring him back to life...
Bring him back to life!
Bastards, kill us all
Kill us all! You brutal beasts!
Kneel
What's wrong with you?
Kneel, damn it
Kneel! You defy me?
You dodged me?
Bastard Do you want to die?
Sons of bitches! I'll kill you!
I won't die alone
I'm gonna take one of you with me!
You bastards!
Hurry and eat it
Hello?
Yes, sir!
I understand
This is the Assistant Warden To the prisoners in Building 4
on behalf of the warden
I apologize for what has occurred recently
So with this opportunity
we will support and treat your needs better
So we hope you'd end your hunger strike of 15 days
We promise...
I'm sorry to hear about 3248's death
You may think your cause is right
But outside you're already forgotten
I promise you one thing
You will leave here either by death or by converting
I'll walk out of here without converting
What use are your beliefs and conscience after you die?
Even if you live it'll be in a dark cell
Then why are you all worried about these useless things?
- What? - You're also imprisoned here
in a lost fight
They say no matter how big the army is
you can win if you capture their leader
But how ever weak a man is you can't take his integrity
Nice way to put it
You killed Comrades Park and Choi, didn't you?
Watch your mouth!
Be frank and tell me
why you're doing this
What is it?
It's me
I'm not sick I'm just tired
Mom's in the hospital?
Okay And the kids?
I didn't drink I have to go
So you're saying that growing old in your cell
is for your own good?
Do you all believe that an equal society will come?
That's wishful thinking
It's foolish to think that people can be controlled
That's not worth dying for Am I right?
When did I ever say I want to die?
It's you all who want to kill me
Look, don't take the conversion paper so serious
Consider it as a membership form
If you don't want to join then simply cancel it later
I don't trust this society's promises
If you acknowledge individual freedom...
We're in special situation! In a divided South and North!
The South can never accept communism!
So we have to ax bad trees before they grow tall
An axed tree will still be a tree
Think oppression changes my thoughts?
- That's wishful thinking - Shut up!
So you like communism and respect Kim Il-sung, do you?
Whether it's the hero Kim Gu or the traitor Lee Wan-yong
it's my freedom of choice who to respect
Damn you!
What are you looking at?
Know why I hate commies? Ask my dead father!
Is owning land such a crime?
Ask my father who's buried in the ground!
Ask him why I limp!
If I were the law you'd be dead, you asshole
Being punctual is the beginning of self-discipline
Love each other's body like your own
Always consider the country and people
I want to go home!
Where am I?
I want to go home!
You sons of bitches!
You promised me parole but you used me!
Then you blame me for it all!
Free me now or I'll reveal everything!
That Park Yoon-ki and Choi In-kyu's suicides were a lie!
That you beat them to death and disguised it as a suicide!
I've done all that you asked me!
But why am I treated like a dog now?
You rotten bastards!
Winter has passed
and spring has come
The people I cared for are gone
A line we can't cross has come between us
But nothing has changed
The nightingale comes back every year
and the sun rises like always
Indifferently...
Mourning flag military police Strange
Has President Park died?
Student demonstrations Heard about Gwangju Massacre?
No, Do you know Jeon Du-hwan?
He's an ex-soldier and might be president
Another military coup?
I swear that I will observe and enforce the law...
3596! Exercise time!
Can you ask them to turn on the furnace earlier this winter?
They won't listen to me
Of course, they'll listen to political prisoners like you
I feel like my dick will freeze off
It's the first snow of winter!
Mother, it's snowing!
Take care of yourself!
Young-ja, wait for me!
I'll be released when the flowers bloom in spring!
If every person has a destiny
and even if it can't be chosen
I've grown to love mine
Because it's my destiny
Sun-myung you must've had it so hard
It's your favorite rice Go ahead and eat
3596! Go to your cell! Let's go!
Sun-myung! Sun-myung!
Sun-myung!
Sun-myung!!
Mother!
Gifts!
Comrade Kim happy 60th birthday!
Happy birthday!
Happy 60th birthday!
Happy birthday!
Now it's time to get married!
Comrade Choi Remember me?
It's Kim Sun-myung we were in the same cell
I remember I know you
It's so good to see you
I thought you were released
They made me finish my time
A special pardon would be nice
Although I'm free to roam around here
- You'll be out soon - 3596! Hurry up!
I have to go
I've missed you so much
If you see me next time say hi
And you must visit me after you're released
Take care
Comrade Kim how have you been?
I've been in jail so long
I've forgotten how to speak
And I keep forgetting things Writing would help, but...
I feel the same, Comrade Ahn
That's why I repeat things and memorize them everyday
When I was young people said I was smart
- I feel like I'll become a fool - Don't think that way
But you're learning new things, too
Have you forgotten that life starts again at sixty?
Thank you
Did you get the money?
The money from Cardinal Kim?
No, I got some from Kim Dae-jung instead
Not that one
I heard it's from some human rights group
I think it was called Mingahyeop
Mingahyeop?
Mingahyeop...
Salute!
Inspection by the new officer!
Get out of here!
How dare you come back?
Leave here!
Why did you come?
You rotten bastard!
I wanted to talk about old times so I called you
It's all in the past now
I never hated
Park Yoon-gi and Choi In-gyu
and I didn't know they died like that
- Lee Young-woon was... - You didn't know?
It's no use now to say who was wrong or right
I know everything
I know you're meeting me to prevent the hunger strike
I don't want to bring up the past, either
I just want your sincere apology
Back then I lacked understanding
By the way what's it like outside?
I'm not sure myself
since it's always changing
You and me we're all in the same boat
I've worked very hard
But I can't tell my son who's in college, about my job
I thought I was a patriot
but I don't know anymore
Sometimes I recall what you said
That I was also imprisoned in a lost fight
Buy me a drink outside after I'm out
Yeah, dreams are wonderful
But it hurts when you wake up
A person should do at least one valuable thing in his life
That's my dream
Just like me you haven't changed at all
I've forgiven them
You should do the same
My father and sister died in the hands of the police
I couldn't find their bodies
since I was a 'commie'
You're my sister-in-law?
Yes, I am
Mr. Kim, it's your first visit, isn't it?
It's the first since my uncle visited me in 1954 or 1955
So no visits for more than thirty years?
You should buy me a drink
You look just like my husband
You even smile like him
He resents you very much
Know how much he suffered all that time?
It would've been better if you were in the North
Your mother is still alive
I didn't mention you to her
If I did she'll die of shock
She always talks about you
She believes you're still alive
She won't die until she sees you
Mother
Your mother is still alive
Mother
Miss your mother, right?
My mother?
What's that?
An application for release
If I get you one just write that you'll convert
If you agree, then I'll get you a form in three days
I know you don't trust people
So if I get you a release form
just write down that you'll convert
So you mean that you still like communism?
Want to hear what a person's duty is?
You can throw away big things like ideologies
but not small things like your conscience
Aren't they the same thing?
- The USSR, East Germany... - I have nothing more to say
Stop, you have to go to the prosecution
- The prosecution? Why? - You'll see
45, 43 and 39 years A total of 127 years
The world's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd longest terms
What a record
Mr. Kim Sun-myung still don't want to convert?
Is the prosecution on our backs now?
If no conversion policy exists
then unconverted prisoners won't exist either
You call this a developed nation?
Then what developed nation has a National Security Law?
Do they make their youth rot in prison for decades?
Or do they even add years to sentences for security sake?
You've imprisoned us almost forty years by that brutal law
With an absurd law like that
is it right imprisoning people for forty years after a war?
Why did you call us here?
In two days, you'll be specially pardoned for Independence Day
Kim Sun-myung Ahn Hak-seop, Han Jang-ho
Even with this pardon you won't be completely free
so as you leave this place
Be careful of any illicit political acts
Whenever you leave home you must report to your officer
For a man whose home was a cell
the day he has longed for has finally come
It's frightening not to know one's future
but good things may come out of it
Not knowing what lies ahead
could bring a person happiness
If a person has a road to follow
and if I could choose mine
could I choose to follow that road again?
I'm afraid
Take care, Comrade Lee
Good-bye, Comrade Kim
Comrade Kim how do you feel?
I feel like I'm being transferred
Comrade Kim time to get married now
Comrade Choi see you at Baekdu Mountain
Take care of yourself
Comrade Nam
I'm sorry I have to leave you
Good-bye, 3596
Good-bye
Kim Sun-myung, why were you imprisoned for 45 years?
People think freedom is outside of prison
but the freedom I chose was inside the prison
You may not understand
but true freedom was in there
It was my conscience that made me free
Kim Sun-myung (71 years old, arrested in 1951)
(imprisoned for 45 years)
Here's your son
Mother (Hong Eun Sook, 94 years old)
- Is that you Sun-myung? - Mother!
Is that you, Sun-myung?
Why didn't you listen to your mother?
You should've listened to grown-ups
I'm ninety four now I won't die this year
Kim Sun-myung was imprisoned in October 1951
and was released on special pardon on August 15, 1995
During his sentence he was in a cell for 39 years
of which 21 years was in a confined cell
His mother died two months after his release
And his brothers still refused to meet him
June 15, 2000, the North-South summit was held in Pyongyang
On Sep. 2 of the same year
working as a dental technician he was sent to the North
with 62 other long-term prisoners
Thanks to the unconverted long-term prisoners
for their contributions to this film
Kim Joong-ki as Kim Sun-myung
Ahn Suk-hwan as Officer Oh Tae-shik
Goh Dong-eub as Comrade Choi Jong-man
Choi Il-hwa as Comrade Ahn Hak-sub
Kim Jong-chul as Master Lee Young-woon
Kim Sae-young as Comrade Nam Young-man
Yoo Hyung-kwan as Comrade Park Yoon-ki
Im Il-chan as Goh Sang-ku