Spy DNA: Times of Confusion on the Big Screen. “Spy”, directed by Yoon Jong-bin | KinoKorea

Lower Silesian Film Centre, Lalka hall

Atmospheric spy cinema from South Korea as part of the KinoKorea series! The Spy (2018), directed by Yoon Jong-bin, is the story of a former military man who embarks on a dangerous mission commissioned by South Korean intelligence to spy on one of the North's nuclear facilities. Murdered interests, false identities and the dangerous game of what life is at stake become the beginning of a multi-threaded story about the complicated relationships of a divided nation.

“Spy”, alongside titles such as “The Man Standing Next” (2020), “Kingmaker” (2022) and “12.12: The Day” (2023), proves that South Korea's turbulent history — especially the period of the military regime and subsequent coups — is a subject that domestic filmmakers are eager to reach for. The meanders of local politics are the perfect source material for strong genre cinema — political thrillers and spy films.

During the talk “Spy DNA: Times of Confusion on the Big Screen,” we will look not only at the broader context of Yoon Jong-bin's film and at the conventions used by Korean filmmakers to talk about history. We will also consider how the North is portrayed in South Korean cinema. After all, it must be remembered that even a few decades ago, for too “bold” look at the latter, directors could end up in... prison.

The event is part of cooperation with the Lower Silesian Film Centre in Wrocław.