[Namdo Film Festival season 2 Gwangyang ](NDFF, hosted by Jeollanam-do, Gwangyang | organized by the Namdo Film Festival Executive Committee, Jeonnam Film Commission) met again with the leads of the 10-million-audience film <12.12: The Day> at the festival's landmark "container special theater (Steinbeck Korea Gwangyang Port).
Director Kim Seong-su's representative work <12.12: The Day>, released in Nov. 2023 and recording a cumulative audience of 13.13 million, is a work that intensely follows the figures swept up in the Dec. 12, 1979, military coup led by Jeon Du-gwang and the capital defense commander Lee Tae-shin, who desperately tried to stop it. In particular, the film is famous for having built a 7,000-pyeong set at Steinbeck Korea Gwangyang Port for filming. Scenes such as the area in front of Ode to My Father, Shinsegye in Myeongdong, the entrance to the 30th Guard Unit, and the inauguration ceremony of President Choi Kyu-hah were filmed here, and the film's climax scene of the rebels and suppression forces confronting each other on Sejongno was also born here.
At the <12.12: The Day> talk concert held on the evening of Oct. 24 (Fri), director Kim Seong-su, actor Lee Seong-min, who plays Army chief of staff and martial law commander Jeong Sang-ho, actor Kim Seong-gyun, who plays Army headquarters military police chief and martial law command security chief Kim Jun-yeop, and producer Lee Yong-su attended.
First, director Kim Seong-su expressed gratitude, saying, "I thank the audience who came to see our film again despite the chilly weather," and recalled, "In June 2022 I stayed here for three weeks to shoot the Sejongno scene, which is the ending portion of <12.12: The Day>, and I remember it a lot. They say the day the historical event occurred was minus 12 degrees, but the actual filming location was enduring a tropical night with temperatures exceeding 28 degrees and continuous monsoon rains. I remember telling the actors, who were sweating in their military uniforms, not to sweat because we were in a hurry." He added, "Looking back, I feel the clear energy of Gwangyang may have given strength to the film."
Actor Kim Seong-gyun also said, "It's moving to think it's already been two years since <12.12: The Day> was released; time really has flown," and added, "In an era when films are consumed quickly, it's touching that so many of you still love <12.12: The Day>, making it a movie that stays in people's memories." Actor Lee Seong-min joked, "Originally the lead should have come, but the supporting actors came," and said, "Thanks to [Namdo Film Festival season 2 Gwangyang], I was able to see director Kim Seong-su again and talk a lot about <12.12: The Day>." He also spoke about the special experience of meeting audiences at the container special theater: "As I walked to the waiting room while listening to the film's ending music, I remembered childhood days when, after market day ended, people would put up a tent and screen films. Thanks to that, I have good memories." Producer Lee Yong-su said, "Although I remember fighting the heat, monsoon and mosquitoes during filming, I also clearly remember healing by looking at the sea and the Yi Sun-sin Bridge during breaks. For various reasons <12.12: The Day> continues to be an issue, and I'm simply grateful that so many people still watch and remember the film."
The <12.12: The Day> talk concert continued for about an hour amid the audience's warm enthusiasm despite the chilly weather. The production team, including director Kim Seong-su, prepared signed copies of the poster and actively engaged with the audience, taking group photos and recording memorable moments at [Namdo Film Festival season 2 Gwangyang].
Detailed information about [Namdo Film Festival season 2 Gwangyang] can be found on the official website. This festival is held across Gwangyang from Oct. 23 (Thu) to Oct. 27 (Mon) at CGV Gwangyang, Jeonnam Museum of Art, Gwangyang Culture and Arts Center, Gwangyang Citizen Plaza, the container special theater (Steinbeck Korea Gwangyang Port), and other venues in Gwangyang.
[OSEN]