The Fortress (2017 film)
2017 South Korean film
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The Fortress (Korean: 남한산성) is a 2017 South Korean epic historical drama film directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, starring Lee Byung-hun and Kim Yoon-seok. It is based on the novel Namhansanseong by Kim Hoon.[3]
| The Fortress | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Hangul | 남한산성 |
| Hanja | 南漢山城 |
| RR | Namhansanseong |
| MR | Namhansansŏng |
| Directed by | Hwang Dong-hyuk |
| Screenplay by | Hwang Dong-hyuk |
| Based on | |
| Produced by | Kim Ji-yeon[1] |
| Starring | Lee Byung-hun Kim Yoon-seok |
| Cinematography | Kim Ji-yong |
| Edited by | Nam Na-yeong |
| Music by | Ryuichi Sakamoto |
Production company | Siren Pictures |
| Distributed by | CJ Entertainment |
Release date |
|
Running time | 139 minutes |
| Country | South Korea |
| Languages | Korean Manchu |
| Box office | US$29.2 million[2] |
Plot
The film is set during the Qing invasion of Joseon in 1636, when King Injo and his retainers sought refuge in the fortress located in Namhansanseong.
Cast
Main
A leader of one of the two ideological cliques that battles in the fortress trying to decide whether to make peace or fight against the Qing dynasty.[4][5]
- Kim Yoon-seok as Kim Sang-hun[6]
The other leader of the ideological clique who battles with Choi's opinion and firmly believes in defending the nation's dignity by fighting against the Qing dynasty.[7]
The king who is in agony in the tense conflicts between his men over the fate of the nation.[8]
- Go Soo as Seo Nal-soe
A blacksmith sent out with a king's letter to recruit loyal forces.
- Park Hee-soon as Lee Shi-baek
The commander of the Namhansanseong garrison, silently defending the mountain fortress in the extreme cold weather conditions.
Supporting
- Song Young-chang as Kim Ryoo
- Jo Woo-jin as Jung Myung-soo
- Lee David as Chil-bok
- Heo Sung-tae as Yonggoldae
- Kim Beop-rae as Hong Taiji
- Jo Ah-in as Na-roo
- Jin Seon-kyu as Lee Doo-gap
- Yoo Soon-woong as Chief Scholar
- Park Ji-il as Deputy Chief Scholar
- Choi Jong-ryul as Eunuch
- Kim Joong-ki as First Secretary
Production
Release and reception
The film was released in South Korean cinemas on October 3, 2017.[9] It topped the box office on its opening day with 444,527 viewers. According to the film's distributor CJ Entertainment, by the second day of its release, the film had accumulated more than one million admissions, the fastest film released during the Chuseok holidays to surpass the mark.[10][11]
The Fortress was sold to 28 countries worldwide including U.S.A, Japan, Taiwan and Singapore. It was the opening film at the 2nd London East Asia Film Festival. In South Korea, the film attracted a total of 3.8 million moviegoers.[12]
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 63% of 8 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.30/10.[13]
Awards and nominations
| Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards | Best Film | The Fortress | Won | [14][15][16] |
| Best Director | Hwang Dong-hyuk | Won | ||
| Best Cinematography | Kim Jee-yong | Won | ||
| Best Music | Ryuichi Sakamoto | Won | ||
| Top 10 Films | The Fortress | Won | ||
| 38th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Film | Nominated | [17] | |
| Best Director | Hwang Dong-hyuk | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor | Kim Yoon-seok | Nominated | ||
| Lee Byung-hun | Nominated | |||
| Best Screenplay | Hwang Dong-hyuk | Won | ||
| Best Cinematography and Lighting | Kim Jee-yong & Jo Gyu-young | Nominated | ||
| Best Music | Ryuichi Sakamoto | Nominated | ||
| Best Art Direction | Chae Kyung-seon | Nominated | ||
| 4th Korean Film Producers Association Awards | Best Film | The Fortress | Won | [18] |
| Best Editing | Nam Na-yeong | Won | ||
| Best Sound | Choi Tae-young | Won | ||
| 12th Asian Film Awards | Best Cinematography | Kim Jee-yong | Won | [19][20] |
| Best Sound | Choi Tae-young | Nominated | ||
| 54th Baeksang Arts Awards | Grand Prize (Film) | Kim Yoon-seok | Nominated | [21][22] |
| Best Film | The Fortress | Won | ||
| Best Director | Hwang Dong-hyuk | Nominated | ||
| 23rd Chunsa Film Art Awards | Won | [23][24] | ||
| Best Actor | Lee Byung-hun | Nominated | ||
| Technical Award | Kim Jee-yong | Won | ||
| 27th Buil Film Awards | Best Film | The Fortress | Nominated | [25][26] |
| Best Director | Hwang Dong-hyuk | Nominated | ||
| Best Screenplay | Nominated | |||
| Best Cinematography | Kim Jee-yong | Nominated | ||
| Best Music | Ryuichi Sakamoto | Nominated | ||
| Best Art Direction | Chae Kyung-seon | Nominated | ||
| 55th Grand Bell Awards | Best Film | The Fortress | Nominated | [27][28] |
| Best Director | Hwang Dong-hyuk | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor | Lee Byung-hun | Nominated | ||
| Best Screenplay | Hwang Dong-hyuk | Nominated | ||
| Best Cinematography | Kim Jee-yong | Won | ||
| Best Editing | Nam Na-young | Nominated | ||
| Best Art Direction | Chae Kyung-seon | Nominated | ||
| Best Lightning | Jo Kyu-young | Won | ||
| Best Costume Design | Jo Sang-kyung | Nominated | ||
| Best Music | Ryuichi Sakamoto | Won | ||
| 2nd The Seoul Awards | Best Film | The Fortress | Nominated | [29] |
| Best Actor | Lee Byung-hun | Nominated | ||
| Camerimage | Golden Frog | Kim Jee-yong | Won | |