By Xu Aiying
Video = Aura Pictures' official YouTube channel

Director Chung Ji-young, who uses film to offer sharp insights on the hidden sides of history and society, is back with his latest work "My Name," which deals with the Jeju April 3 Incident, marked by uprisings and brutal suppressions on Jeju Island from 1947 to 1954.

Chung and the movie's principal cast of Yeom Hye-ran, Shin Woo-bin, Choi Jun-woo and Park Ji-bin on April 2 spoke at a media screening and news conference at the multiplex CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District. They discussed the themes and behind-the-scenes stories of the film.

The plot features two generations centered on Young-ok (played by Shin), 18, who wants to change his old-fashioned name, and his mother Jung-soon (Yeom), who tries to recover her long-forgotten memories of the Jeju April 3 Incident.

"My Name" has earned global recognition since its release early this year. It was invited to the Berlin International Film Festival's forum in February and is in the main competition section of the Udine Far East Film Festival of Italy opening on April 24.

Director Chung Ji-young on April 2 answers questions at a news conference for his latest film "My Name" at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District. (Lee Jeongwoo)

While its core are the brutal suppressions of the uprisings, the film depicts the event through the turbulent life of an ordinary family instead of presenting a grand discourse on violence by the government. This perspective juxtaposed violence by the state and at school, superimposing the layers of the two tragedies.

"The mechanisms through which violence occurs are little different with the government or society at large," Chung said. "I structured the film to use school violence as a buffer zone so that viewers can gradually see the atrocities of government violence."

Scene from "My Name" (Aura Pictures/Let's Films)

At the heart of the film is Yeom. Captivated by the actor's compelling performance in a supporting role in "The Boys" (2023), Chung revamped the original script and redid the plot to cast her as the protagonist.

"I was captivated by Jung-soon, a resilient mother who endures Korea's turbulent Korean history with all of her being and a multifaceted character who embodies both perpetrator and victim," Yeom said.

She added that the sunglasses her character wears in the film is "a metaphor symbolizing the character's inability to face the past."

"I was cautious in my approach since the film is based on real events, but I consulted collected testimonies and internalized the language of the victims," Yeom said. "I liked how the film didn't stay in the past but instead asked the question today, on the 78th anniversary of the incident, of how to view this event."

Actor Yeom Hye-ran on April 2 discusses her interpretation of her character, who embodies the suffering of her era, and thoughts on "My Name" at a news conference held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District. (Lee Jeongwoo)

"April is a time to think deeply about government violence," Chung said. "The strength to stand up to any violence ultimately lies with the restoration of friendship and solidarity."

The film is slated for domestic release on April 15.

xuaiy@korea.kr