Born in Busan in 1977, he studied film directing at the Japan Institute of the Moving Image in Tokyo. His debut documentary film "Good Bye" (2010) was presented at the 2nd DMZ International Documentary Film Festival. "12th Suspect" follows the film "As the Sun Sets" (2014) which was presented at the 19th Busan International Film Festival.
Critique
Just by reading the plot of this film you immediately fly with your imagination thought of an Agatha Christie classic; thanks to the historical background and the detective who leads the investigation, you can immediately think of the famous detective Poirot. But we are far from the pen of the British writer, and her narrative, in this film the gloomy setting and the characterization of the characters by a feeling of oppression, masterfully represented by the careful use of photography.
A murder investigation apparently without great fanfare turns into an almost sudden witch hunt thanks to a change of register in the fluidity of the narrative.
The background of the post-war period and the consequent division of Korea is strong and well delineated by the themes dealt with, crossing that thin line between patriotism and nationalism. The characters are well structured but what makes the story extremely captivating is the visual strength of the color, only the owner of the Café wears a red dress, while all the other protagonists wear dull colors and scales of gray and brown that almost blend in with the setting. The scenes take place almost exclusively in a single place as if it were a theatrical piece, but the static nature of the places enhances the narration. "12th Suspect" despite a modest budget manages to tell a captivating and at the same time meaningful story.
