The Fortress (2017 film)

The Fortress is a 2017 South Korean epic historical drama film directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, starring Lee Byung-hun and Kim Yoon-seok. It is based on the novel Namhansanseong by Kim Hoon.[2]

The Fortress
Theatrical release poster
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationNamhan sanseong
McCune–ReischauerNamhan sanŏng
Directed byHwang Dong-hyuk
Screenplay byHwang Dong-hyuk
Based onNamhansanseong
by Kim Hoon
StarringLee Byung-hun
Kim Yoon-seok
CinematographyKim Jee-yong
Edited byNam Na-yeong
Music byRyuichi Sakamoto
Production
company
Siren Pictures
Distributed byCJ Entertainment
Release date
  • October 3, 2017 (2017-10-03)
Running time
139 minutes
CountrySouth Korea
LanguagesKorean
Manchu
Box officeUS$29.2 million[1]

Plot

The film is set during the Qing invasion of Joseon in 1636, when King Injo and his retainers sought refuge in the fortress located in Namhansanseong.

Cast

Main

A leader of one of the two ideological cliques that battles in the fortress trying to decide whether to make peace or fight against the Qing dynasty.[3][4]

The other leader of the ideological clique who battles with Choi's opinion and firmly believes in defending the nation's dignity by fighting against the Qing dynasty.[6]

The king who is in agony in the tense conflicts between his men over the fate of the nation.[7]

A blacksmith sent out with a king's letter to recruit loyal forces.

The commander of the Namhansanseong garrison, silently defending the mountain fortress in the extreme cold weather conditions.

Supporting

Release and reception

The film was released in South Korean cinemas on October 3, 2017.[8] It topped the box office on its opening day with 444,527 viewers. According to the film's distributor CJ Entertainment, by the second day of its release, the film had accumulated more than one million admissions, the fastest film released during the Chuseok holidays to surpass the mark.[9][10]

The Fortress was sold to 28 countries worldwide including U.S.A, Japan, Taiwan and Singapore. It was the opening film at the 2nd London East Asia Film Festival. In South Korea, the film attracted a total of 3.8 million moviegoers.[11]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 63% of 8 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.30/10.[12]

Awards and nominations
AwardCategoryRecipientResultRef.
37th Korean Association of Film Critics AwardsBest FilmThe FortressWon[13][14][15]
Best DirectorHwang Dong-hyukWon
Best CinematographyKim Jee-yongWon
Best MusicRyuichi SakamotoWon
Top 10 FilmsThe FortressWon
38th Blue Dragon Film AwardsBest FilmNominated[16]
Best DirectorHwang Dong-hyukNominated
Best ActorKim Yoon-seokNominated
Lee Byung-hunNominated
Best ScreenplayHwang Dong-hyukWon
Best Cinematography and LightingKim Jee-yong & Jo Gyu-youngNominated
Best MusicRyuichi SakamotoNominated
Best Art DirectionChae Kyung-seonNominated
4th Korean Film Producers Association AwardsBest FilmThe FortressWon[17]
Best EditingNam Na-yeongWon
Best SoundChoi Tae-youngWon
12th Asian Film AwardsBest CinematographyKim Jee-yongWon[18][19]
Best SoundChoi Tae-youngNominated
54th Baeksang Arts AwardsGrand Prize (Film)Kim Yoon-seokNominated[20][21]
Best FilmThe FortressWon
Best DirectorHwang Dong-hyukNominated
23rd Chunsa Film Art Awards Won [22][23]
Best Actor Lee Byung-hun Nominated
Technical Award Kim Jee-yong Won
27th Buil Film Awards Best Film The Fortress Nominated [24][25]
Best Director Hwang Dong-hyuk Nominated
Best Screenplay Nominated
Best Cinematography Kim Jee-yong Nominated
Best Music Ryuichi Sakamoto Nominated
Best Art Direction Chae Kyung-seon Nominated
55th Grand Bell Awards Best Film The Fortress Nominated [26][27]
Best Director Hwang Dong-hyuk Nominated
Best Actor Lee Byung-hun Nominated
Best Screenplay Hwang Dong-hyuk Nominated
Best Cinematography Kim Jee-yong Won
Best Editing Nam Na-young Nominated
Best Art Direction Chae Kyung-seon Nominated
Best Lightning Jo Kyu-young Won
Best Costume Design Jo Sang-kyung Nominated
Best Music Ryuichi Sakamoto Won
2nd The Seoul Awards Best Film The Fortress Nominated [28]
Best Actor Lee Byung-hun Nominated
Camerimage Golden Frog Kim Jee-yong Won

References
  1. "The Fortress (2017)". koreanfilm.or.kr.
  3. "Actor Lee Byung-hun attends press conference for 'The Fortress'". Yonhap News Agency. August 24, 2017. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  4. "Exclusive: Interview with Korean actor Lee Byung Hun on his role in The Fortress, whitewashing and how he navigates Hollywood". independent.co.uk. 23 October 2017. Archived from the original on 2022-06-18. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  5. "Lee Byung-hun praises 'The Fortress' co-star Kim Yoon-seok".
  6. "'The Fortress' director hopes to provide a chance to learn from past".
  7. Herald, The Korea (23 August 2017). "Dazzling cast of 'Fortress' takes serious approach to historical film".
  8. Shim Sun-ah (August 23, 2017). "(LEAD) 'The Fortress' director hopes to provide a chance to learn from past". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  9. "'The Fortress' becomes fastest Chuseok movie to surpass 1 mln in attendance". Yonhap News Agency. October 5, 2017.
  10. Leydon, Joe (20 October 2017). "Film Review: 'The Fortress'". variety.com. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  11. "'The Fortress' sold to 28 foreign countries". Yonhap News Agency. October 24, 2017. Retrieved 2017-10-24.
  12. "The Fortress". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  13. "[공식입장] '영평상' 설경구·나문희 男女주연상, '남한산성' 최우수작품 수상". chosun.com. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  14. "제37회 영평상, 설경구·나문희 남녀주연상…'남한산성' 4관왕". xportsnews.com. 26 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  15. "THE FORTRESS Dominates 37th Korean Film Critics Association Awards". Korean Film Biz Zone. 30 October 2017.
  16. "[공식입장] '제38회 청룡영화상' 후보 공개, '불한당'vs'택시' 대격돌" (in Korean). Sports Chosun. 2017-11-06.
  17. "THE FORTRESS Tops Korean Film Producers Association Awards". Korean Film Biz Zone.
  18. "Asian Film Awards 2018 nominations". South China Morning Post. January 11, 2018.
  19. "Asian Film Awards: 'Youth' Wins Top Prize From 'Demon Cat'". Variety. March 17, 2018.
  20. "'1987' shines at Baeksang awards : The annual ceremony honors the best works in local film and television". Korea JoongAng Daily. May 5, 2018.
  21. "제54회 백상예술대상, TV·영화 각 부문별 수상 후보자 공개". JTBC (in Korean). April 6, 2018.
  22. "제23회 춘사영화제 5월18일 개최..홍상수·김민희 참석하나". Newsen (in Korean). May 3, 2018.
  23. "[23rd 춘사영화제 종합]'남한산성' 최우수감독상 수상…최희서 11관왕 달성". Herald Corporation (in Korean). May 18, 2018.
  24. "[23회 부산국제영화제] 부일영화상". Busan Daily (in Korean). 20 September 2018.
  25. "5관왕 '공작', '허스토리'와 함께 부산 품었다(종합) [27회 부일영화상]". MK Sports (in Korean). 5 October 2018.
  26. "제55회 대종상, 각 부문 후보 공개…'공작' 12개 최다부문 노미네이트". Seoul Sports (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-09-21.
  27. "'버닝', 대종상 작품상 영예...1주기 故김주혁, 특별상 수상 [종합]". Osen (in Korean). 22 October 2018.
  28. "'제2회 더 서울어워즈' 10월27일 개최, 드라마-영화 각 부문별 후보공개". iMBC (in Korean). September 28, 2018.
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