Uprising is a South Korean historical war action film directed by Kim Sang-man and written by Shin Cheol and Park Chan-wook. The film is produced by Park Chan-wook, Yoon Suk-chan, Baek Ji-sun, and Go Dae-suk. It premiered at the Busan International Film Festival and it is set to release worldwide on Netflix in October 2024.
The film is set in the late 16th century, during the period of the Japanese invasion of the Korean Peninsula. It features beautifully expansive storytelling steeped in the history of the period, along with a poignant exploration of loyalty, class, and betrayal.
Sub-Heading: Plot and Narrative Arc
Set in the rigidly class-structured Joseon Dynasty, the film centers around the bond between two friends, Cheon Yeong and Jong-ryeo. Cheon Yeong is a skilled swordsman and a slave, while Jong-ryeo is the son of a noble military family. And despite the stark difference in their social standing, the two share a deep friendship that is built on trust and shared history.
However, their relationship undergoes strain—and is ultimately shattered—when the Japanese invade Korea. The Joseon court is in turmoil, initiated by the flight of the King Seonjo from the capital. Local militias take arms to protect their land. Cheon Yeong, who had been long suffering from oppression, joins the Righteous Army formed by peasants, monks, and lower-class militia men who seek to combat foreign control and domestic corruption. Jong-ryeo, on the other hand, serves the siding the of the monarch and concentrates on preserving what is already established.
As both political and emotional battle lines are drawn, the two men, caught in the middle of an uprising, are risking their relationship and their lives. Their clash, painfully mirrors the grand tragedy of the divided kingdom. The brotherhood is shattered by the strife of class, ideology, and war.
Main Cast and Characters
Gang Dong-won as Cheon Yeong – A fierce swordsman born into servitude. A man of justice who seeks to protect the powerless.
Park Jeong-min as Jong-ryeo – A high-ranking military officer commanding in the service of the monarch and is loyal to the king, tangled between obligation and friendship.
Cha Seung-won as King Seonjo – The outraged and rebellious people are roused by the monarch, who has fled, conceding his kingdom to the people in his anger.
Kim Shin-rok as Beom-dong – A fiery militia leader who rouses the people to arms and persuades Cheon Yeong to fight.
Jin Seon-kyu as Kim Ja-ryeong: An intricate character in the struggle for the resitance with acertain agenda.
Jung Sung-il as Genshin: He is a particulary vicious brutish Japanese general.
This ensemble cast brings the multifaceted emotional reality of the characters who live in a society undergoing corrosive decay from within as well as systematic destruction from without.
Production Overview and Cinematic Style
The film Uprising has been in development for several years, as it is based on a Park Chan-wook script from 2019 that Kim Sang-man is credited for directing. Uprising is based on several historical locations in South Korea. The production team also built vivid 16th century Korea, from the palaces and temples to the burning and muddy battlefields with incredible attention to detail.
Along with other segments of the film, Ju Sung-rim’s camerawork captures the stark, brutal reality of warfare, wide shots of large scal battles amd close ups of the grief stricken and the defeated. The film’s mute and earthy toned colors accurately represen the emotional state.
Jo Yeong-wook’s film score brings elegance and at the same time a lingering feeling to pieces, and with the aid of Han Mi-yeon’s editing, the film is carried well from thought to thought.
Themes and Symbolism
Class Conflict and Systemic Injustice
Uprising showcases the struggle between personal loyalty and societal roles and hierarchy. Cheon Yeong’s transformation from a servant to a warrior leverages a direct challenge to the socio-economic and feudal systems. His inner conflict between a friend and a just cause mirrors the fight for a change in the political system.
Brotherhood and Betrayal
The moral challenge of the nation is powerfully captured in the Cheon Yeong – Jong-ryeo relationship. Their growing distance is a reflection of the eroding societal divisions that fractures deep connections. Their climactic final fight transforms into something greater than just a fight; it helps resolve a fight between ideals.
The Failure of the Leadership
The inability of the central leader is highlighted poignantly in the scene of King Seonjo fleeing the capital. His flight represents a loss of central power, and his leaving the people reinforces a central argument of the film – that to lead is to have the courage to sacrifice, not possess a title.
Reception and Critical Reaction
Uprising was first screened at the 29th Busan International Film Festival where it was celebrated for its storytelling, visuals, and emotional depth. Critics highlighted the screenplay balance of history and universal themes, praising it as innovative and intelligent storytelling.
Viewers appreciated the movie for its sophisticated take on Korea’s wartime history, observing that its critique on society continues to be relevant today. The depth and grace of Gang Dong-won and Park Jeong-min’s performances were often described as powerful and meaningful.
The film went on to secure multiple nominations at the Baeksang Arts Awards, including:
Best Film
Best Supporting Actor (Park Jeong-min)
Best New Actor (Jung Sung-il)
Best Screenplay
Best Technical Achievement
It won several accolades, including Best Screenplay and Best Music, solidifying its status as a major cultural achievement in Korean cinema.
Cultural Significance and Enduring Influence
Though Uprising is anchored in a precise historical moment, its ideas are relevant to everyone. The portrayal of social inequality, corrupt leadership, and the high price of sacrifice is far-reaching in its impact beyond the borders of Korea.
For South Korean viewers, the film acts as a reflection of contemporary discussions regarding the class divide, the role of citizens in the state, and the valor of civic engagement. The emphasis on grassroots militias, the “righteous army,” underscores the significance of mass mobilization, even in the absence of supportive systems.
In addition, the film offers a nuanced yet powerful reflection on the human toll of political division through its portrayal of friendships torn apart by ideology.
Final Thoughts
Uprising goes beyond the boundaries of conventional epic war films. Through the themes of fidelity, heartbreak, and metamorphosis, the film captures a viewer’s emotional core and makes them ponder. While experiencing the film, the viewer witnesses remarkable performances that are paired perfectly with sweeping cinematography, telling the film’s story in a powerful, much resonant way.
Through the combination of personal character stories and the grand historical level of the epic, Uprising makes the viewers think of the past. It makes one think of all the sacrifices that are made for one another in times of crises. Through that lens, the film emphasizes the multifaceted purpose of cinema beyond mere entertainment, as a vital source of memory, justice, and truth.
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