THE FORTRESS to Enter Japan

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THE FORTRESS to Enter Japan

Apr 09, 2018

Writer by Pierce Conran
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LEE Byung-hun Goes East Again

Critically-acclaimed period drama The Fortress (2017) will be released in Japan on June 22. Featuring LEE Byung-hun, who is well known in Japan, but also KIM Yun-seok and PARK Hae-il, the film was directed by HWANG Dong-hyuk.

Set in 1636, the film focuses on the Qing Invasion of the Korean peninsula, as the Joseon court has fled to seek refuge in the Namhan Fortress. With 150,000 Qing troops breathing down their necks, the King must weigh the conflicting counsels he receives from his two most trusted advisors.

The Fortress was released during last year’s Chuseok holiday season and welcomed 3.85 million viewers (USD 29.44 million) to theaters. Shortly thereafter it became a multiple award winner at both the Korea Association of Film Critics Award, where it earned prizes for Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography and Best Music, and the Korean Film Producers Association Awards, where it won in the categories for Best Film, Best Editing and Best Sound.

In addition to its awards success at home, the film has also found favor overseas. Last month, it triumphed at the 12th Asian Film Awards (AFAs), where KIM Jee-yong earned the prize for Best Cinematographer.

Director HWANG previously helmed the abuse drama Silenced (2011) and the fantasy family comedy Miss Granny (2014), which has been adapted for local markets all around the world. The Fortress bears a Japanese connection, as it was the first Korean film to be scored by legendary composer SAKAMOTO Ryuichi.

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