Movies - Anarchists

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	Movies - Anarchists

Anarchists is a South Korea action movie, made in 2000, and directed by Yu Yong-Sik and written by Park Chan-Wook.

Set in Shanghai, circa 1924, the movie is about an underground cell of anarchists who attempt to overthrow the Japanese government's colonial control of Korea through "propaganda by the deed." Told from the perspective of the youngest character, Sang-Gu, years after the fact, the story is a sympathetic look at a group of young revolutionaries through the eyes of one of their own.

Plot summary

In the opening scene the protagonist begins to reminisce about his youth and remembers the day he was saved from execution in a raid performed by the anarchist cell he would later join. After reaching a safe house the group begins to teach him the tricks of their trade. He later takes part in several missions, though he continues to have difficulty throughout the movie with the violence of his new job.

Eventually a string of tragic events strike the team. One of their members is fatally betrayed during a mission, leading to their covers being blown during the next. Now wanted by the Japanese and Chinese authorities, their funders turn away from them and instead choose to support socialist electoral politics to further their cause. This angers the group, and they leave the larger organization, attempting to survive on their own by earning money through gambling and bank robbery. Over time the group becomes agitated with simply scraping by and several voice a desire to return to their old ways of clandestine warfare. They collectively decide to strike at the Japanese government in a high profile attack, leading up to a dramatic finale.

Cast and Character Descriptions

Specific character information largely comes from the film's official website, rather than the movie itself. Within the film, characters aren't overtly developed and exposition largely comes through Sang-Gu's perspective, relying on few monologues and no flashbacks to tell the backstory. Instead, referinces to some of the events descriped below can be detected within character interaction and dialogue.

Jang Dong-Gun as Seregay

"Seregay is a great fighter and an activist who doesn't care to be compensated.

"A graduate of Moscow University, Seregay is a nihilistic intellectual. He was the leader of an anarchist terrorist group, but unable to overcome the after-effects of torture from Japanese authorities, he's become addicted to opium, which takes him down a road of destruction. Aside from his drug addiction, he's an excellent sharpshooter, and with his handsome face and eccentric charm, he's loved by women all around him."

Jeong Jun-ho as Lee Geun

"A poet and humanist who worships Tolstoy, Lee Geun converts to anarchism after he meets Seregay and joins the group. Being a romanticist as well as an idealist, he suffers an ethical dilemma throughout the revolution. A handsome man with a manner that gains him trust, he leads the group with Han Myung-Gon."

Kim Sang-Joong as Han Myung-Gon

"Han is a cool-headed revolutionary with a gentle appearance. He came to learn Marxist-Leninist ideologies in his early years and become a model conspirator within the group. When he deals with his foes, he handles them mercilessly, but keeps his cool at all times. As the leader of the group, he keeps the others in line, while putting forward an image as an all-out stoic."

Lee Bum-Soo as Dol-Suk

"Born into the lowest class of society, Dol-Suk is unconditionally hostile to the 'haves.' Even though he acts first and thinks second, he's always loyal and tends not to be shallow. He enjoys games, practical jokes and loves women, but hates anything that is complicated. Strong headed with a foul-tongue, Dol-Suk values comradeship and cruelty at the same time."

Kim In-Kwon as Sang-Gu

"Having lost his whole family during the Kyungshin Massacre, and in the hope of getting revenge on the Japanese ruling power, a young terrorist comes to Shanghai all alone. But his life takes a complete turn when he meets the anarchists. Although he's very brave, he can't actively participate because he's still a young boy. He has trouble adapting to the merciless and cold-blooded terrorist activities with his weak heart. However, he admires and follows Seregay, Lee Geun and the other members and plays the observer of the entire story"

Ye Ji-Won as Kaneko

"When she sings Sombre Dimanche (Gloomy Sunday), it's bewitching enough to make you want to know more about the woman behind the mysterious voice. As the Queen of the club, her love overcomes all ideologies and thoughts, and she comforts the soul of a man who does not trust himself into love. With outstanding beauty and intelligence she wins the hearts of Seregay and Lee Geun in a single spell."

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Movies - Anarchists

Plot summary

Cast and Character Descriptions

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