Whenever I watch some news on TV and newspaper, I want to know why some cases are solved and some cases are unsolved. Is there any difference between solved cases and unsolved cases? It could be a possible that the police are too foolish to catch criminals or the criminals are too smart to be caught. However there might be another reason.
Bong, Joon-Ho, a Korean director, answers the question by showing us his film-Memories of Murder. It is based on a true story. From 1986 to 1991, a few women were raped and killed in Hwasung. The serial murders remains unsolved though the police put a lot of effort into the case. The film starts showing two women raped and killed.
To solve the case, detective Song, who has been working there, and detective Park, who has been sent from Seoul, start investigating. They argue a lot because they have different styles. They fail to find the proper suspect a few times.
A young policewoman realizes, however, that the local radio station is requested to play a specific song whenever it rains. They find out that the killer waits until it rains to kill women wearing red. On nights when the song was played, a murder happened. They piece together the clues and find the suspect who works in a factory and requests the song.
Like the true story, the film ends with the case unsolved. The reason why they can’t solve it is that the Korean political situation in unstable. On the only night they get a chance to catch the suspect, the police can’t get back-up to help them because the president wants to block the riot against him by sending more police. Besides the only DNA evidence, which can prove he is a killer, can’t be processed in Korea. At that time, Korea didn’t have equipment for DNA processing. It was not a unique case. It was one of many cases. However unstable Korean political and social situation made the case unsolved.
Bong, Joon-Ho’s well made film wants to tell us that the government is responsible. The film is not only exciting but also serious. The film helps us think about this time period.
Korean people say it is hard to get two rabbits. It means even if you want to achieve two goals, you can hardly achieve them. His film, however, are exceptional-especially Memories of Murder. You feel excited and think about many things.
Do you want to see a great film? It’s time to see his film.