DELIVER US FROM EVIL
South Korea, 2020, 108 minutes, Colour.
Jung-min Hong, Jung-jae Lee, Jeong Min Park.
Directed by Wong- Chan Hong.
Deliver us from Evil been used many times as a film title, more recently in connection with documentaries and fiction on the sexual abuse of minors. There is abuse of a minor and minors in this film, but the particular focus is on the traffic of children, for sexual purposes, but, more sadistically, on using them for organ donation to the wealthy, criminal exploitation.
This is a Korean action film targeted for the many fans of this genre. The narrative is interspersed with violence, sometimes quite graphic (even the film opening with a paid assassin eliminating a gangster). There are many choreographed fight sequences, a smashing chart car Chase, all those popular ingredients.
And, one of the problems for identifying with the story and characters is that none of the central characters is admirable – though one becomes more and more sympathetic.
However, as said, this is a film about child trafficking. The opening sequences are in Korea, the world of gangsters, elimination, revenge. However, most of the action takes place in Thailand. Mother and daughter live in an affluent home, the mother trying to do a real estate deal. But, the daughter is abducted from school, disappearing, hidden with an alarming number of small children, marshalled to respond to affluent requests for organs even surgery that would kill the children who are easily disposed of.
Then, quite quickly, we discover that the initial assassin was part of a crack team of assassins in the past whose group was closed down and the members left adrift – assassin for hire in his case. Then, some flashbacks, and his discovering that the abducted girl was his daughter. And, we know what the rest will be as he gets his ticket for Thailand (postponing his ticket for anonymous retirement in Panama).
But, of course, there is more. A very suave looking (though his nickname is The Butcher his propensity for slitting his victims as they hang down) is the brother of the initial assassinated gangster. The brother is bent on relentless revenge, and has quite a thug entourage to assist him in his quest.
Which means then that this do a double pursuit, our hero (becoming more sympathetic because of his absolute search for his daughter) is also the target of a vicious chase.
What makes the story somewhat different is the introduction of a character who is to be the guide of the hero, getting information, accompanying him, all kinds of help. This character is a singer in a club, transgender, a Korean in Thailand who can do translations, wanting to earn money for final surgery. At times were distracted from the violent pursuit by the whims and ways of the guide, posturing, posing, camper mannerisms, but, essential to the completion of the mission.
And so, the evil that we must the must be delivered from is a contemporary scourge, the trafficking of children.
- The title? Frequently used for films? The evil in this film? Child trafficking? Children trafficked for organ transplants?
- The Korean settings, the world of gangsters, executions? Settings in Thailand, the mansion, the resort, the city sequences, the world of gangsters, police precincts, squalid surroundings for imprisonment of the children, for surgical procedures? A realist atmosphere? The musical score?
- In-nam’s story? Down and out, his appearance, the commission for the execution, the violence of the killing? The consequences, the payment, his decision to go to Panama, a goal? His contact, the discussions, further killing or not? The flashbacks, his work as an assassin, the closing of the group, his history, and loose end? The flashbacks to his relationship, the flight attendant, her pregnancy, leaving her and disappearing?
- Ray, gangster, butcher, his henchmen? Dress and manner, wanting revenge, tracking down his brother’s killer? The searching in Korea? The search leading to Thailand?
- Thailand, mother and daughter, playing together, the affluent mansion, the financial deal, the discussions with the estate agent, the downpayment? The little girl, aged nine, at school, picked up by the nanny, abducted? Imprisoned? The mother, distraught, going to the police? The phone calls, to come alone, her death? The trying to get in touch with In-nam? His message to tell her that he was dead?
- The information about the little girl, the realisation that she was his daughter? The decision to go to Thailand, to search for his daughter? His local contacts and their information? The local regular criminals? The search, pursuing them? His friend and going to the club, the transgender Korean, back story, money for surgery, agreeing to be a guide?
- Yui, the script choice of a transgender person to be the guide, to become involved, personal manner, singing at the club, provocative attitudes? The money deals? Working with In-nam, the dangers, fears, the effect? The dangers, arrested, interrogated? Released? The challenge to continue helping, hesitations?
- Ray, going to Thailand, his connections, ruthless, information, shooting his informants? The continued pursuit of In-nam, the buildup to the encounters, the vengeance, the range of fights? In-nam and his skills, defence? The drama of the fights with Ray?
- Finding the girls, the interrogation of those involved, the guards? Torture? Information?
- The discovery of where the little girl was, her being taken? The surgery? His being intercepted by Ray? Running, stopping the surgery, rescuing the little girl, taking her to the hotel? The information about Panama and the ship? The return, the doctor he had asked to check the little girl’s health, dead? The killings and a fight?
- The buildup to the confrontation with Ray, In-nam being wounded, yet persevering? The grenade in the explosion? The final confrontation, the car chase? Crashing into the stores? The finale and death?
- Yui, information about the money, the bag, passport? With the little girl, the bonding between the two? Panama and a happy vista at the end?
- A violent action drama, drama with sentiment, expose of child trafficking?