Description
Night Flight 2014 Director Cut
Ya-gan-bi-haeng (original title)
Not Rated | 2h 21min | Drama | 28 August 2014 (South Korea)
Storyline:
Three teenage boys Yong-ju, Gi-Woong and Gi-Taek, were once best friends in middle school, but they become estranged from each other once they enter high school. While Yong-ju and Gi-Taek still remain close, Gi-Woong becomes a jjang (Korean slang term meaning “best”), one of the strongest fighters in the school, and begins to hang out with Seong-jin’s gang (Seong-jin’s parents are powerful figures, making him a bigwig among his schoolmates). Yong-ju becomes concerned when he finds out that Seong-jin’s gang is mercilessly bullying Gi-Taek, an eccentric manhwa fan. Under intense pressure to get into a prestigious university because of his financially struggling single mother, Yong-ju develops an unlikely relationship with Gi-Woong, who tries to break away from Seong-jin. But when Gi-Taek learns that Yong-ju is gay, he betrays his friend and joins Seong-jin’s gang in ostracizing him, telling them that Yong-ju has loved Gi-Woong for years.
User review:
How can two broken guys take comfort in the light breeze of the wind? How can 2 lonely individuals cope up with a community of social class oppression, school pressures and politics, homophobia and extreme bullying?
The story revolves on the love-hate relationship of two senior high school students who were friends since middle school. Gi-Wong, a leader of a school gang has family problems with his absent dad and a bit confused about his sexuality. Yong-ju, is more accepting of himself, and has a long-time deep affection for Gi-Wong. There will be developments that will happen that may deepen (or not, I will not tell) the relationship as both struggle and try to fit in the world they live in.
The title Night Flight is actually the name of an old empty gay club about to be torn down, serving them as their only refuge, as they continue to dream and seek answers.
I must say all the actors in the movie shined very well. The unmarried mother who tries her best to bring up her kid; the once- best friend, who felt betrayed and took revenge; the openly gay friend from the other school who had to transfer; the class president and gang member who cruelly makes sure everything is in order and “proper”. Even Gi- Wong’s dad in his short scene, gave a memorable performance. Last but not the least, I will like to congratulate the two leads, who even in their silent moments, spoke a thousand words thru their tender eyes…
Cinematography was great and editing was fast. There seems to be a pervading poetic style used throughout the film.
I highly recommend this intriguing movie. The story takes time to develop but when you get to the last suspenseful half, I promise you’ll be glued to it like I was…
Director: Hee-il Leesong
Writer: Hee-il Leesong (screenplay)
Stars: Si-Yang Kwak, Jae-Joon Lee, Jun-ha Choi
Country: South Korea
Language: Korean
Release Date: 28 August 2014 (South Korea)
Also Known As: Night Flight
John (verified owner) –
The writer-director of Night Flight, Hee-il Leesong, explores harsh realities of intolerance and violent bullying in a South Korean secondary school. His critique of these and other less than admirable aspects of South Korean culture are confronting: this is not an easy watch, but the social critique is compelling. The story of what happens to three childhood friends after they reach secondary school illustrates the harsher realities of the culture including homophobia, socio-economic disparities and an obsession with educational goals to the exclusion of other aspirations. When an academically bright student expresses his concern about a friend being bullied a teacher responds by suggesting the student does not, or should not, have time for friends. Night Flight is unforgettable for the issues it raises and how destructive they can be.