Battleship Island

I was going to post this as just another shared video on Facebook, but I found myself wanting to write more than just a one-liner to accompany the clip. 

Battleship Island is not just a movie, it is a true part of Korean history that's not to be forgotten. Near the end of Japan's 35-year occupation of South Korea, my home country, more than 60,000 Koreans, Chinese, Americans, and others were forced into labour for coal-mining on an island called Hashima Island, otherwise known as Battleship Island. While on the ground level of this isolated island, the people of Japan grew more wealthy and became happier with the rise of industrialization, 1km under sea level, Korean and Chinese victims grew weaker and thinner in order to industrialize the country that imprisoned them.

Even to this day, the tour "guides" of Hashima Island 'forget' to mention the fucked up history that occurred beneath the ground on which they stand. Instead, they encourage tourists to take pictures wearing the helmets that were the only protection the labourers had underground. And the way the world decides to make up for it, is to recognize Hashima Island as a "UNESCO approved World Heritage Site"? They must've 'forgotten' that these people did not come to this island on their own accord, they were drowned, starved, dragged, beaten, and forced against their will. I believe this is why Ryoo Seung Wan, one of my favourite South Korean directors, has decided to tell this story. Even though it's more than 70 years late, better late than to 'forget' forever. Korean cinema often regards film as a medium through which to retell Korean history from our voice, in stunning and memorable ways. I hope that after watching this film, it stays with you, for this one truly deserves to be remembered.

Some more videos if you want to learn more about the full truth: