NYAFF REVIEW: ‘1987: When the Day Comes’ investigates an uprising
Photo: 1987: When the Day Comes follows the events of the June Democratic Uprising in South Korea. Photo courtesy of © CJ Entertainment / Provided by NYAFF with permission.
1987: When the Day Comes, the new movie from director Jang Joon-hwan, is a political drama that takes place in the days before the so-called June Democratic Uprising in South Korea. It’s set to play the New York Asian Film Festival Saturday, July 7 at 9 p.m. at Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theater.
The film’s narrative is prompted by the death of a student protestor during an arduous struggle for democratic elections in the country. 1987: When the Day Comes depicts the student’s death as the result of intense interrogation, and the authorities try every which way to keep the public from finding out the true story. One prosecutor though has a different plan.
It’s always interesting, and ultimately sad, to see how one life can impact a society so greatly. Throughout history the great wars and protests have been instigated by many underlying issues, but there’s usually a flashpoint that drives the masses into the streets.
Joon-hwan tries his best to depict these tumultuous times and yet never forget the human drama at its core. He mostly succeeds. As the authorities and journalists clash, the director still leaves time to show the difficult mourning process for the protester’s family, and the anguish on their faces becomes a national rallying cry for justice and democracy.
Although the story is set amidst the history of the late 1980s, the movie never feels preachy or akin to opening a history book. The history simply informs the story. That approach is a credit to writer Kyung-chan Kim, who uses the struggles as a backdrop rather than a restrictive focal point.
The cast is up for the challenge of the weighty drama, especially Kim Yoon-seok as Park Cheo-Won, the prosecutor in the film. The NYAFF folks know how strong his performance is; they are set to award him the Star Asia Award for the role.
His prosecutor character will not be bought, will not back down and will not stop his “prosecuting” until justice is laid bare. His portrayal anchors the film and drives the story to its inevitable conclusion: when average citizens take to the streets and demand, with their marching bodies, respect and change.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
1987: When the Day Comes (2017), directed by Jang Joon-hwan and written by Kyung-chan Kim, plays the New York Asian Film Festival Saturday, July 7 at 9 p.m. Actor Kim Yoon-seok will receive the Star Asia Award. Running time: 130 minutes. Rating: 
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