Don’t Be So Political: MEMORIES OF A MURDER (2003)

“There will be a murder tonight.” 

Two detectives investigate a serial killer under military rule in 1980s South Korea. 

Bong Joon-ho’s second feature introduced audiences to one of Korea’s foremost filmmakers. Based on Korea’s first documented serial killer, Memories of Murder marked the director’s first of many collaborations with Song Kang-ho. The film’s melancholy landscapes, haunting imagery, and darker than dark humour present many of the elements for which Bong has come to be known. Touching on police incompetence, the pitfalls of military rule, the dangers of unchecked power, and the residual trauma of repressed freedoms, the film remains relevant in Korea, and increasingly, is becoming more relevant in North America. 

Sweeping Korean awards shows in 2003, Memories of Murder is all but assured of cementing its place in the canon of great 21st century film. The promise of its potential was realized with the release and success of Bong’s Best Picture winning Parasite in 2019. Bong began and remains one of the world’s most exciting, socially conscious, and genre-defying directors. 

Part of the Don’t Be So Political series!

Cast/Crew Info
Director: Bong Joon-ho | Cast: Song Kang-ho, Kim Sang-kyung, Kim Roi-ha, Song Jae-ho, Byun Hee-bong